Parallel Learning in the 2021–22 School Year

As the landscape of the pandemic slowly changes, we have had the opportunity to consider what our learning options will be for next year. After thoughtful consideration, the Faculty, with support from the Return to School Committee, has decided we will not offer parallel learning in the 2021–2022 school year.

Another year of parallel learning is not sustainable for our Faculty. Toggling between parallel and in-person teaching is causing teacher burn-out, and we do not have additional teachers on staff who can teach the remote students only. Hiring additional teachers would come with an additional cost and—at its root—Waldorf Education is a live, in person education.

The Faculty is still discussing what the curriculum offering could look like for a student who needs to quarantine due to a COVID-19 exposure. There is understanding that these situations may still require some parallel learning but only for an isolated period of time. The offering would most likely be only for the main lesson period and not a full schedule of synchronous classrooms.

We have come through a very challenging time together, and we want more than anything for all of our students to remain with their classes. We are being realistic about our capacity to stretch ourselves to offer parallel learning for another year.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact a member of our Leadership Team:

Jill Zihar, Early Childhood Faculty Chair

Anne Clair Goodman, Grades Faculty Chair

Kirsten Christopherson-Clark, Head of School