Mary

What grades did you attend Seacoast Waldorf School and where are you in high school now?

I started when I was 2 years old and went through all the grades. I am currently a sophomore at Marshwood High School.

When you think back on Seacoast Waldorf School, what’s a memory that stands out in your mind? What do you miss the most?

The memories of Seacoast Waldorf that stand out in my mind are all of the trips we went on as a class like Acadia, and everything we did together, like staying in Surry and going to the beach at night. I miss the relationships that were possible with such a small number of people, as now I might only have one class with a friend and not be able to make such a strong connection in a short amount of time. 

What was the transition to high school like? And what helped you find your footing?

Academically the transition was pretty easy. The only real adjustment was the length of classes, not getting as many breaks, and the lack of time outside. The thing that surprised me the most about high school was the environment itself; like how many people are in the hallways at the same time and the bright fluorescent lights. Socially, it was more challenging because when I started, everyone already had their cliques from public middle school. The main thing that helped me overcome that was joining electives like chorus and being involved in extracurriculars, like theater. 

Is there something you learned at Seacoast Waldorf School that you find yourself using in high school or beyond?

So many things! The thing I am most grateful for learning at SWS is how to respect both your peers and your teachers and I think that has helped me succeed both academically and socially. Also, the little things that we learn that don't necessarily seem significant, I keep finding myself using them again and again, like the songs for multiplication and random facts about mythology. 

What would you tell a family that might be considering Seacoast Waldorf School for their child?

I would tell them that going to SWS doesn't just teach kids life skills that they will need like persuasive writing, problem solving, and carpentry, but also how to think creatively and outside the box while being open to new ideas. SWS also helps kids discover who they want to be by exposing them to everything, whether it be team sports, theater, music, languages, so when we do get to high school, we already know what our interests are and what we might want to pursue.