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Joyful Learning Lives Here

Joyful

Learning

Lives Here

Hands-On, Creative, and Community-Driven

At City of Lakes Waldorf School, children learn in a hands-on, screen-free environment rooted in nature, creativity, and community. As a Waldorf school, we nurture the whole child — head, heart, and hands — helping students grow into grounded, confident, and curious individuals, ready to live with purpose, imagination, and heart.

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The New Smart

Our programs

Early Childhood

Toddler, Preschool, Kindergarten

Creative play provides the foundation for all future learning experiences.

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Early Childhood

Elementary School

Grades 1-5

Arts, music, and movement, integrated into a robust, well-rounded academic curriculum.

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Elementary School

Middle School

Grades 6-8

An academically challenging liberal arts education that builds capacity for creative thinking and encourages self-discovery.

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Middle School

At a Glance

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Students consistently score on average 5 grade levels above their current grade level in reading by the end of 7th grade.

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Students consistently score on average 3 grade levels above their current grade level in math by the end of 7th grade.

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overall grade on Niche.

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of families receive tuition assistance.

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Students read an average of 7 novels a year between grade 3–8.

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Grades 1–8 receive between 60–90 minutes of recess a day.

"CLWS has been a life-changing educational experience for my children."

CLWS Parent

“Waldorf has definitely made me the person that I am today. It’s given me a lifelong desire to learn, and the ability to question things that don’t seem right in the world.”

CLWS Alumni Student

“CLWS brings out the best in our children, and also in us as parents.”

CLWS Parent

“CLWS is a place where my classmates aren’t just friends, they’re family.”

CLWS Student

News and Updates

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    screen-free classroom viewpoint
    screen-free classroom viewpoint

The CLWS Experience

    Why Parents Who Love Bluey Are Discovering Waldorf Education in Minneapolis

    If you've ever watched Bluey and wished childhood could look a little more like that, you're not alone. Parents across Minneapolis are searching for schools that value imagination, outdoor play,…

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    Growing Readers Before They Read: The Waldorf Approach to Pre-Reading

    In a Waldorf early childhood classroom (Toddler through Kindergarten), you won’t find formal reading instruction. You won’t see worksheets on letter sounds or children being drilled on their sight words.…

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    Mindful Media at CLWS: A Conversation About Kids, Screens, and Media Literacy 

    This spring, families gathered at City of Lakes Waldorf School for a thoughtful and engaging Parent Education Breakfast focused on one of the most pressing questions facing families today: how…

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    What is Waldorf Middle School Like? Parent Panel Reflections on Academic Preparation and Growth

    What does it mean to guide children through the middle school years in a way that preserves their curiosity, confidence, and humanity? At a recent parent panel discussion, current and…

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    Academic Rigor in Waldorf Education: How Personalized Teaching Leads to Lifelong Success

    Waldorf education is celebrated for its holistic, arts-integrated, human-centered approach, and for good reason. What may appear effortless in the classroom is actually the result of careful planning, deep engagement,…

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    Join Us for Doors Open Minneapolis 2026

    Explore City of Lakes Waldorf School as part of Doors Open Minneapolis 2026! Enjoy interactive indoor and outdoor kids and family activities, and tour our beautiful historic building built in…

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    Announcing Our Rising First Grade Teacher for 2026–27: Carlisle Evans Peck

    We are delighted to announce that Carlisle Evans Peck will be joining us as the First Grade Teacher for the 2026–27 school year! Carlisle returns to City of Lakes Waldorf…

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    33rd Annual CLWS Circus at the Music Box Theatre

    A beloved tradition in the Minneapolis community, the CLWS Circus showcases the talents of middle school students in a dynamic, joyful performance that highlights the power of circus arts education.…

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    Waldorf Alumni Reflections: CLWS’ Lasting Impact on Students

    Each year, the annual alumni panel at City of Lakes Waldorf School offers something deeply meaningful: a glimpse into how a Waldorf education continues to live within students long after…

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