Doesn’t the name Freie Waldorfschule Leipzig conjure images of a unique educational space? Here at Berthastraße 15 stands a school with a distinctive approach to learning. The Freie Waldorfschule Leipzig integrates intellectual artistic and practical skills. It is an approach founded on the principles of Waldorf education.
The Freie Waldorfschule Leipzig began in an unconventional setting. In 1990 the school was inaugurated in the Clara Zetkin senior citizens’ home. This was in the Grünau district. Six teachers welcomed about 120 students. They taught grades one through four. The school received its operating permit just one day before. The Ministry for Education and Youth granted the permit.
Initially the Freie Waldorfschule Leipzig occupied rooms in a former kindergarten. This kindergarten was located on Potzschkaustraße. In 1993 the school moved to its own building on Breisgaustraße. This building also once housed a kindergarten. Space became an issue over time. An architectural competition was held in 1994. The goal was to design a new school building. A plot of land was already available. The plan had to be abandoned due to cost.
In August 2000 the Freie Waldorfschule Leipzig moved to its current location. The building on Berthastraße once housed the 11th School. It later became the Bruno-Schönhank-POS. The building first opened as a primary school in 1957. Since 2003 the supporting association has had a leasehold agreement for the property.
The Freie Waldorfschule Leipzig doesn’t fit neatly into traditional school categories. It combines grades 1 through 13. It offers several qualifications including the Hauptschule Realschule and Abitur. A Waldorf school leaving certificate is also offered in class 12.
The school is now two-form entry up to the seventh grade. Lessons are divided into main lessons and subject lessons. The main lessons are taught in blocks. Each block lasts for two hours daily. Until the eighth grade a class teacher takes over the main lessons. The main subjects rotate every three to four weeks. These subjects include German mathematics science history and geography. Subject lessons follow the main lessons. Classes are usually divided into two groups. Specialist teachers teach English Russian music sport eurythmy religion handicrafts and artistic crafts.
Children with minor developmental delays can attend an introductory class. This prepares them for school learning in a small group. After this transitional year they enter the first grade. Repeating a year is not standard practice at the Freie Waldorfschule Leipzig.
At the end of the school year each student receives a detailed report. It describes their learning progress and individual development. Students only receive graded reports from the second half of the 11th grade. At the end of the school year they still receive a verbal assessment in addition to the grades.
Students in grades 1 to 4 can attend the after-school care center. The center provides activities in social creative and artistic areas.
The Freie Waldorfschule Leipzig also had a kindergarten. It included two mixed-age groups for children aged 3 to 6. There was also a toddler group. The kindergarten originally used rooms in the school building. In August 2011 the kindergarten became independent. It moved into a new building on the school grounds. The supporting association has been the Waldorfschulkindergarten Leipzig e. V. since then.
The new kindergarten is located next to the school building. Markurt Architekturkontor and Architekturbüro Denker & Zimmer designed the building. It is a straw bale construction. The compartments of a timber frame are filled with straw bales. Approximately 12000 handmade clay bricks are incorporated into the interior walls.
This holistic approach fosters well-rounded individuals. The Freie Waldorfschule Leipzig encourages intellectual artistic and practical abilities. The school stands as a testament to Rudolf Steiner’s vision. It cultivates minds hearts and hands.