Executive Director Update Summer 2026

 

Dear SFWS Friends,

What does it mean to be human?

This age-old yet urgent question has been actively addressed by San Francisco Waldorf High School for more than 25 years. Just like our first graduating class in 2001, this year's graduates explored the question in the context of all humanity from their individual perspectives in their own space and time. It was clear at the Class of 2026 Commencement that "Know yourself, know the world" is not just a slogan, but a mountain our students have traversed. 

 

At their Commencement ceremony last month, we saw that the Class of 2026 is made up of high-achieving scholars. There was much more than their individual achievements represented that day. Like the first SFWHS graduating class, twenty-five years ago, this class leaves with more than just learning. The Class of 2026 experienced a high school education designed to consciously develop knowing. Knowing authenticity and truth, knowing change and transformation, knowing meaningful relationships, knowing oneself, and knowing purpose.

Sitting among the faculty on June 6th were Dr. Paolo Carinin and Dr. Joan Caldarera, who have both taught all 25 of the graduating classes since our high school was formed in 2000.

Recently, I had a conversation with the founding Kindergarten teach of San Francisco Waldorf School, Monique Grund. I asked her if the school was always meant to become a Waldorf school that spans early childhood through high school. Monique emphatically answers, "Yes! It was meant to be K-12 from day one!"

The vision and dedication of Ms. Grund, Dr. Caldarera, Dr. Carini, many other faculty and staff members, many volunteer parents and guardians, Board members, and donors created this school that we have today: a school with a diverse student body representing families from all over the Bay Area and the world. A School which has now graduated nearly 800 independent human beings. 

I was humbled to think of how much goodwill and hard work brought us to this moment of celebration. As students from the Class of 2026 began to speak, I felt honored to play a role in a school which has contributed to the lives of deliberately human individuals who are excited to contribute their gifts and energy toward the future.

Each year, our School graduates students who are exceptionally well-prepared for their next steps and welcomed by university programs across North America and beyond. This year's graduates plan to start careers as biologists, engineers, teachers, filmmakers, nurses, journalists, and more. Like the 24 SFWHS classes before them, the Class of 2026 is stepping into their futures with confidence and energy for action!

Here are some of the reflections and advice shared by the graduates in their Commencement speeches. This diverse group spoke from a range of perspectives: as a first generation American, a Waldorf student since early childhood, one who was new to Waldorf, and more. From each point of view, their humor and wisdom resonated with graduates and the entire audience alike:

"Whether you've been here since kindergarten or arrived later like I did, none of us are the same people we were when we first walked onto this campus. We've discovered new interests, faced challenges, and learned lessons that extended far beyond the classroom. But of course along the way, we've also watched each other grow...And even though our paths may look different moving forward, I know that what we've gained here will always connect us. I think I can speak for many of us when I say the experiences we've shared and the growth we've witnessed in one another have helped shape the people we are today." -- Shaila White
 

"My English got better, and I became a confident leader in Waldorf through the Student Diversity Committee and the Association of Latinx Students. My life has made me realize that a challenge is not necessarily a disadvantage, but rather an opportunity for personal growth, as it took me enormous effort, constant work, and self-drive to be as confident as I am now and be fluent in English. All of my efforts have allowed me to pursue my dream of being a molecular biologist at UC Davis."       -- Leonidas Monterroso

 

 

"In every class my questions were valued, not shut down. Art and creativity were baked into every lesson, not overshadowed by chart questionnaires. Waldorf has been a place where I am an individual, not just a statistic in the system." -- Yuumi Kakinuma

 

 

 

"Don't let fear make your decisions for you. The fear of judgement never completely goes away but the regret of never trying lasts even longer...So, next year, raise your hand, join a club, take the risk, talk to the  person. Do the think you're scared to do, because time moves way too fast to spend your life worrying about what other people think." -- William Sue

 

Wishing you a wonderful summer,

 

Lauren Smith, Executive Director