Point at which public school and Waldorf converge?

[teamsalem]

I'm considering Waldorf for my oldest who is 4.  I definitely love Waldorf for the early years but I'm sort of wondering if there is a point where he wouldn't be "behind" by a public school standard if I sent him to Waldorf (or homeschooled him , waldorf).  If I were planning on mainstreaming him at some point, is there a grade where he would be "on track" with public school?   Would love input on this.

[JamieCatheryn]

Many try to ease the transition from elementary Waldorf to other middle schools (5th into 6th grade) especially if the area has no Waldorf upper grade schools. From reviewing the curriculum and talking with teachers a lot of the time I'd think students will be "caught up" in reading, writing, and math by 4th grade. Before that the transition would be very tough.

[Kindermama]

I generally agree with the PP but I'll add that it really depends on the kid. My 3rd grade son only learned to read by having a tutor 2-3 days a week while attending Waldorf school. At the beginning of third grade (before tutoring), he was reading at a mid-kindergarten level. 

[karne]

By middle school your ws child would most likely read and think critically on par w/the ps curriculum.  We transferred before 4th grade and it was absolutely brutal...but we knew it would be because that was the experience of others before us.  You'll really want to focus on having basic skills down (reading and math)u.

[Melaniee]

Originally Posted by JamieCatheryn 

Many try to ease the transition from elementary Waldorf to other middle schools (5th into 6th grade) especially if the area has no Waldorf upper grade schools. From reviewing the curriculum and talking with teachers a lot of the time I'd think students will be "caught up" in reading, writing, and math by 4th grade. Before that the transition would be very tough.

I can't speak first-hand, and I hope I never have to, but that is what I have heard as well.  There will always be things children are taught in public school that a child in a Waldorf school won't know, and vice-versa, but when it comes to the basics I would also think at least Grade 4 and up.   Of course that would vary by the class and teacher.

I would think that if there becomes a time that you need to switch to a more mainstream schooling environment, if your child could have some tutoring (or you change your HS focus) beforehand that would help. I would feel awful for a child to switch and be behind his peers drastically in the basics. I cannot imagine the self-esteem blow that would have.  Of course the child would know many more things his new peers wouldn't, but that likely wouldn't be given the opportunity to come out.