City of Lakes Waldorf School

City of Lakes Waldorf School Private Independent School educating children from Pre-K through 8th Grade Where childhood is preserved and children flourish.

A school that strives to educate the whole child, fostering intellectual acuity, emotional and psychological well-being, and physical aptitude. Awaken yourself to the potential within in your child. Come take a tour and experience for yourself education with joy.

09/10/2026

Students are settling into rhythms, reconnecting with classmates, and getting to work. So we thought we’d take you on a little tour of the spaces they’re learning in and spot some of the details that make our Waldorf classrooms unique.

📖 A dictionary.
Yes, a real, physical dictionary. Students learn to look things up, explore words, and build a relationship with language beyond a screen.

📚 Real textbooks.
At a time when more and more textbooks are accessed exclusively on screens, our students still learn from physical books.

🖍️ Chalkboards.
Teachers use the board to bring lessons to life.

🌿 Natural, open-ended play materials.
In Early Childhood, simple materials leave room for imagination. A piece of wood can become anything a child imagines.

🌳 Two recesses.
Look closely at the schedule and you might notice something else: plenty of time to go outside. Movement, fresh air, play, and time to reset are built into the school day.

These details are not accidental.

In Waldorf education, the prepared space is part of the curriculum. Teachers consider what their students need at each stage of development and shape their classrooms accordingly, from the materials within reach of a young child to the books, tools, artwork, and academic resources that surround an older student.

The spaces change as students grow. The purpose remains: to create an environment that invites children to be present, engaged, capable, and ready to learn.

Now that the school year is underway, take a look inside.

09/04/2026

Our teachers spend their summers learning, practicing, and deepening their craft, and then bring that learning back to one another. Here, teachers are practicing a snapping game that uses movement, rhythm, and attention to help students learn about multiples in a memorable, hands-on way.

Movement is woven into learning throughout the day at CLWS. Whether students are stepping out math patterns, clapping rhythms, moving with a poem, practicing balance and coordination, or engaging in physical activities outdoors, the body is an important part of how children experience and understand new concepts.

We are so excited to welcome our students back to campus! There’s nothing quite like the energy of a new school year beginning.

Two Toddler Spots Just Opened Up 🌿A rare opportunity just opened up at City of Lakes Waldorf School — we have two toddle...
08/27/2026

Two Toddler Spots Just Opened Up 🌿

A rare opportunity just opened up at City of Lakes Waldorf School — we have two toddler spots available!

Our Toddler program fills quickly, so if you’ve been considering joining us, this would be a great time to reach out. We don’t expect these openings to be available for long.

Our youngest students spend their days immersed in imaginative play, time outdoors, meaningful rhythms, and a warm, nurturing classroom community.

Interested in learning more? We’d love to hear from you. Connect with admissions: https://www.clws.org/admissions/connect-with-admissions/

08/21/2026

The newest addition to our Early Childhood play yard is officially complete!

We can already imagine all the laughter, games, adventures, and imaginative stories that will unfold on this beautiful new play structure.

A very special thank you to the generous donors who made this addition possible, and to Cory and Bruce for sharing their skill, craftsmanship, and care to bring it to life. It is truly beautiful, and we are so excited to watch our students make it their own. ❤️

Here’s to many years of joyful memories!

If Bluey were searching for a school that felt like home in Minneapolis… we’d like to think she’d choose City of Lakes W...
08/11/2026

If Bluey were searching for a school that felt like home in Minneapolis… we’d like to think she’d choose City of Lakes Waldorf School. 💙

The kind of childhood filled with imaginative play, muddy boots, meaningful friendships, outdoor adventures, creativity, and the freedom to simply be a child.

Giving children the space to be children isn’t stepping away from learning, it’s building the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. When children have time to wonder, create, explore, and follow their curiosity, they develop the confidence and joy that carry them far beyond the classroom.

It’s no wonder so many parents who love Bluey find themselves drawn to Waldorf education.

If you’ve ever watched an episode and thought, “I wish my child’s school felt more like this,” we’d love to show you what makes City of Lakes Waldorf School so special.

And just to be clear—Bluey hasn’t officially enrolled. We also recognize the irony of a screen-free school talking about Bluey. 😉 We just happen to love the way it honors childhood.

Book a school tour: https://www.clws.org/admissions/connect-with-admissions/

A recent Star Tribune article looked at Minnesota families and schools rethinking classroom screens, and the concerns ma...
08/04/2026

A recent Star Tribune article looked at Minnesota families and schools rethinking classroom screens, and the concerns many parents raised — attention, handwriting, focus, connection — are things that shape a lot of what we do here.

At City of Lakes Waldorf School, screens have never been part of the classroom. This isn't a trend for us, it's core to how Waldorf education works, and always has been. What that looks like day to day: kids handwriting their lessons, moving through songs and rhythmic games to learn their times tables, building and exploring with natural materials, asking questions and following their curiosity outdoors. Their attention is on the work and each other, not a screen.

And it works. Our graduates go on to thrive in high schools, colleges, and careers across every field, carrying with them the focus, curiosity, and creativity this kind of learning builds.

It's not the only way to teach, but it's one we believe in deeply. If you're curious what a screen-free classroom looks like in practice, come visit us! Request a Tour: https://www.clws.org/admissions/schedule-a-tour/

StarTribune article: https://www.startribune.com/parents-urge-mn-schools-rethink-technology-devices/601872441

🌱 Little Sprouts registration is now open!Looking for a meaningful way to connect with your little one this fall?Our Lit...
07/24/2026

🌱 Little Sprouts registration is now open!

Looking for a meaningful way to connect with your little one this fall?

Our Little Sprouts Parent-Child Classes offer a warm, welcoming space for children ages 1–3 and their caregivers to sing, play, explore, create, and build community together. Each class celebrates the wonder of early childhood through simple rhythms, seasonal activities, and joyful connection.

Fall sessions fill quickly each year, so we encourage families to register early to reserve their spot.

Class Options:
🌱Mondays (ages 1-2): September 28 - November 23, 2026 from 9:00 - 11:00 am (excludes 11/2)
🌱Tuesdays (ages 2-3): September 29 - November 17, 2026 from 9:00 -11:00 am

We can't wait to welcome new and returning Little Sprouts families this fall!

✨ Learn more and register today: https://www.clws.org/educational-programs/early-childhood/little-sprouts/

07/22/2026

What if movement isn't a break from learning, but an essential part of how learning happens?

At City of Lakes Waldorf School, movement is woven into every school day. It's integrated into lessons through hands-on, artistic, and experiential learning, and it's honored through recess and outdoor time between learning experiences.

Why? Because the brain needs space to learn deeply.

Research on spaced learning shows that memory is strengthened when new information is followed by time to process before it's revisited. Rather than rushing from one lesson to the next, we intentionally create rhythms that allow ideas to settle, connections to form, and understanding to deepen. When students return to the material through art, movement, discussion, writing, or problem-solving, they engage with it in new ways that help learning last.

The result is more than academic achievement. It's confident, capable learners who think critically, solve problems creatively, and leave prepared to thrive in rigorous high schools, college, and beyond.

We don't see movement as time away from learning. We see it as part of learning.

📖 Learn more about our approach in our blog, "Slowing Down to Go Far."
https://www.clws.org/slowing-down-to-go-far-the-neuroscience-behind-waldorf/

At CLWS, core academic subjects are taught in immersive, multi-week main lesson blocks. Instead of switching subjects da...
07/15/2026

At CLWS, core academic subjects are taught in immersive, multi-week main lesson blocks. Instead of switching subjects daily, students focus on one topic for an extended period of time, allowing for deeper exploration and understanding.

This block-style approach gives students the opportunity to engage with a subject from multiple angles through discussion, writing, art, movement, and hands-on projects. Concepts are revisited and built upon each day, helping students form stronger connections and long-term retention of material.

By slowing the pace and deepening the focus, students are able to fully absorb what they are learning rather than rushing from one topic to the next. This rhythm supports curiosity, concentration, and a more meaningful learning experience.

Read about how slowing down helps children learn more deeply: https://www.clws.org/slowing-down-to-go-far-the-neuroscience-behind-waldorf/

We're excited to be part of the Trail of Small Wonders! Join us at the FREE Opening Day Festival at Westwood Nature Cent...
07/09/2026

We're excited to be part of the Trail of Small Wonders! Join us at the FREE Opening Day Festival at Westwood Nature Center!

📅 July 13, 2026
⏰ 4:30–8:00 p.m.

Wander the enchanting fairy trail, discover whimsical fairy homes, and enjoy an evening of imagination and outdoor adventure.

Be sure to stop by the CLWS booth to create a nature-inspired craft. We've also heard a little whisper through the leaves that a fairy will be frolicking around the CLWS booth, sharing a special surprise with young visitors. Be sure to stop by before she flutters away! 🧚

Event Details: https://www.slpfota.org/small-wonder-trail

Address

2344 Nicollet Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN
55404

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