Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are embraced as a strengthening principle across all areas of the institution. We strive to sustain a community that reflects the great diversity of the Bay Area. We seek to establish an inclusive learning environment in which differences are understood and celebrated. We acknowledge that growth is an ongoing process that calls on the qualities of commitment, cooperation, and respect that are at the heart of our school community. The work is overseen by the school’s governing bodies and in collaboration with the Multicultural Council.
College of Teachers Statement on Rudolf Steiner
"While we continue to uphold our stated mission, we know that our values are only as important as how we actually implement them. That is why we believe that we must recognize and play an important part in transforming the historical and contemporary injustices faced by so many in our country... We explicitly reject any theory or statement in Rudolf Steiner’s work that characterizes or judges individual human beings as superior or inferior based on racial, gender, ethnic or other group identity. We honor what diversity brings to the richness of human perspective."
Read the full Statement on Steiner from SFWS College of Teachers
Congressman John Lewis, civil rights leader and author of March, gave an inspiring public lecture sponsored by the school.
"Move on, cross borders, cross barriers, renew yourself, and try again. In response to my deeply seeded urge to create something for people, through justice and love and toward community, destiny found me." Read more
"Of all subjects, the combination of geography and history perhaps lends itself best to awakening a feeling of social responsibility. By that I mean the awareness of and consideration for other people. In 4th grade, we studied the immigrant journey of Biddy Mason from Mississippi in the 1830s to California, where she could live without fear of enslavement. The students also read stories of Black pioneers and mountain men, in the series Reflections of a Black Cowboy, which included a story of Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, who founded the city of Eschikagou (Chicago) as a trading post, together with his wife Kitihawa, a member of the Potawatomi. We also read the book, The Iron Dragon Never Sleeps, which told the story of Lee Cheng, a worker for the Central Pacific Railroad. The children lived into the dynamics of his friendship with the kind daughter of an engineer as well as the unfair treatment of Chinese workers of the railroad company."
An Upper Grades Mandarin class performs a Chinese ethnic dance for their younger classmates, led by Ms. Evelyn Liu (Liu laoshi), the choreographer for SF Asian Chorus performing group and Fang Bing (Fang laoshi).
"My students and I feel connected to the idea of rights and honoring those who fight for them, on whatever level they are able. Who is spreading light in the world? Whose heroic deeds have helped others toward freedom?"
Student portrait of Maya Angelou
"Whether it was the Chinese Cultural Revolution, 19th century Russian literature, African colonization or the American Civil War, we were taught their relevance in our lives there and then."
Parents bring the Persian New Year to the grade school.
"I’ve seen firsthand the life-changing impact that the Kitch Scholarship has had on our SMART Scholars and their families. The generous funds have enabled hardworking students from low-income families to thrive in Waldorf High School’s rigorous and nurturing environment."
Watch Tiana Chacon-White and Kaia Garcia-Vandegrift present "The Star Spanglish Banner" by Angelica Maria Aguilera during their Poetic class.
Endowed Funds and Tuition Support
The school is committed to expanding the socioeconomic diversity of our student population. Over 40% of our families receive tuition assistance.
Kitch Scholars
Established in 2006 with visionary leadership and a gift of over $1 million from a Waldorf family, the program funds two full scholarships annually to promising high school students from underrepresented communities.
Diane David Fund for Tuition Assistance
Established in 2015, this fund that supports tuition assitance honors Diane David, a longtime early childhood educator, parent, and advocate for socioeconomic diversity.
Kimball Fund for Equity and Inclusion
Expands diversity from nursery through high school through partial tuition scholarships for families from underrepresented communities.
“We stand alongside our fellow human beings. We are equal in our right to access education, and in particular Waldorf education. We listen to each other and work in solidarity. And we cede leadership to communities who are directly affected by a problem we are trying to address. Our school is committed to these goals. We know it can be uncomfortable at times, and that it takes training and growth, but the school has put in a lot of striving to this end, and we are not stopping.”
Madhulika Chambers, Spring Night 2019
Board of Trustees