Waldorf Family Survey 2003

In order for our school to be as responsive and responsible as possible, we want to check in with our families as we plan for the future. Your views are needed so that we can provide the best possible experience for our families.

Please complete the questions below. Of course, the whole thing is voluntary, so if you do not wish to answer any particular question, just skip it. The survey is completely anonymous, and we have no means of associating you personally with your survey responses. Our only tracking mechanism will be how many families completed the survey for each grade. A high response rate will yield an accurate portrait of parent opinion. Please let your voice be heard!

Please complete only one survey per family. It should take less than 10 minutes.

This survey covers five general issues: family background, tuition-related, curriculum, and schoolwide issues.

Part I: Family Background

1. How many years you have been affiliated with the school (students attending)?

0-2 yrs 3-5 yrs
6+ years

2. How many children do you have enrolled in the school?

1 2 3 4 5

3. What grade is your OLDEST child enrolled in?

4. Have your child(ren) attended any other schools (excluding preschool) prior to being here?

No Public Private Home School

Part II: Tuition-Related Issues

In this section, it may feel like we are really prying, but please remember the survey is anonymous. This information will help us to understand how tuition affects our families.

5. What was your total household income (e.g., including spouse, if applicable) for 2002?

$0-20,000 $20-40,000 $40-60,000 $60-80,000 >$80,000

6. What is your primary source for paying tuition, excluding tuition assistance (income, assets, other)

Income Assets Other

7. Do you currently receive tuition assistance?

Yes No

8. Do you plan to apply for tuition assistance in the next year or so?

Yes No Maybe

9. How much of a financial burden is the tuition for your family?

Not a Burden Somewhat of a Burden Very Much of a Burden

10. Are you likely to leave the school in the next year or so specifically because of financial pressures?

Not Very Likely Somewhat Likely Very Likely

11. If there is another reason why you are likely leave the school in the next year or so please list it below.

Part III: Classroom Issues

How satisfied are you with the following?

12. Clean & well-maintained facilities.

Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not Sure/No Opinion Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied

13. Music program.

Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not Sure/No Opinion Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied

14. Festivals and other community events.

Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not Sure/No Opinion Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied

15. Fundraising Efforts.

Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not Sure/No Opinion Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied

16. Space for school performances and other large events.

Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not Sure/No Opinion Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied

17. Sports programs.

Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not Sure/No Opinion Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied

18. Faculty & staff development and training.

Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not Sure/No Opinion Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied

19. Community service programs for children to participate in.

Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not Sure/No Opinion Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied

20. Remedial program for students in need of such services.

Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not Sure/No Opinion Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied

21. Overall, how satisfied are you with your experience at the school

Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not Sure/No Opinion Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied

22. How much does your family volunteer in the school (e.g., committees, work days, etc.)?

0-4 hours/month 5-10 hours/month >10 hours/month

23. How much do you expect to volunteer in the next year?

Less Than This Year About the Same More Than This Year

In general, do you feel adequately informed about:

24. What your child (or children) is learning (subject matter)

Not Well Informed Adequately Informed Very Well Informed Not Sure

25. Your child’s (or children's) progress

Not Well Informed Adequately Informed Very Well Informed Not Sure

26. Is your child(ren) having an intellectually stimulating educational experience?

Not Stimulating Somewhat Stimulating Very Stimulating Not Sure

How important are the following in your choice to send your child(ren) to WSSS?

27. Dissatisfaction with public school

Not Important Somewhat Important Very Important Not Sure

28. Child did not do well at prior school

Not Important Somewhat Important Very Important Not Sure

29. Waldorf educational philosophy

Not Important Somewhat Important Very Important Not Sure

30. Anthroposophical philosophy

Not Important Somewhat Important Very Important Not Sure

31. Like-minded community

Not Important Somewhat Important Very Important Not Sure

32. Smaller classes

Not Important Somewhat Important Very Important Not Sure

33. Exposure to arts

Not Important Somewhat Important Very Important Not Sure

34. How much do you think the school emphasizes Christianity in its curriculum?

Too Little About Right Too Much Not Sure

35. How much do you think the school emphasizes non-Christian religions?

Too Little About Right Too Much Not Sure

36. How much do you think the school emphasizes various world cultures in its curriculum?

Too Little About Right Too Much Not Sure

37. Do you think any of the following cultural studies areas needs more emphasis?
(Check all that apply)

American American Minorities (e.g., African American, Latino) European Non-Western Women's Studies

Two Questions for Lower School Parents and Early Childhood Center Parents:

38. How comfortable are you with having the same teacher for grades 1-8?

Not Very Comfortable Somewhat Comfortable Very Comfortable Not Sure

39. How comfortable would you be with a grades 1-5 class teacher, and a different model for grades 6-8?

Not Very Comfortable Somewhat Comfortable Very Comfortable Not Sure

Part IV: Schoolwide Issues

40. Approximately, how many people have you referred to the school to the point that they read materials or visited the school?

0 1-3 4-6 7+

41. How would you best describe the school’s image in the local area? (Check all that apply.)
progressive rigorous easy-going earthy non-academic
traditional impressive up & coming respectable
professional vague

If there is another image, please list it below.


The following is a list of concerns that some parents have raised. Please rate how serious a problem you think each issue is in your experience.

42. Behavioral/disciplinary problems

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

43. Classes Too Small

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

44. Classes Too Large

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

45. Your Child(ren)'s curriculum Too Easy

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

46. Your Child(ren)'s Too Hard/Demanding

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

47. Emphasis on group versus individualized learning

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

48. Volunteering Expectations

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

49. Recruitment Efforts

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

50. Retention of Enrolled Students

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

51. Financial Well-being of the School

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

52. Reputation of School in the Community

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

53. Quality of School Administration (e.g., financial, curricular decision-making)

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

54. Timely Communication of School Activities/Events

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

55. Securing quality and consistent childcare in our school's afterschool program

Not a Problem Somewhat of a Problem Serious Problem Not Sure

56. As the school grows in the future, would you be in favor of a one-school campus?

Yes No Not Sure

57. Overall, how satisfied are you with the Waldorf curriculum?

Very Dissatisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not Sure/No Opinion Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied

58. We understand many of these questions are important and complex. Please use the space below to offer any comments about the issues we raised. Thank you!!!
If you have any difficulties with this form, please send us an email by clicking here.