Welcome to Your Parent/Caregiver Orientation Hub

Discover essential resources and information to help you navigate your child’s educational journey at The Waldorf School of San Diego.

Land Acknowledgement: We recognize that our school sits on unceded

Kumeyaay Land

We acknowledge that our Waldorf school campuses are situated on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Kumeyaay people. We honor their enduring connection to this land, their deep wisdom, and the cultural heritage that have been maintained for countless generations. In the spirit of gratitude and respect, we commit to nurturing a community that recognizes and supports Indigenous sovereignty and works toward a future of justice and healing.

School Information and Communication: Two Systems working in Harmony

Ravenna (fomerly BigSis) is your Parent/Caregiver Portal; this is your one-stop destination for all school-related information. Ravenna gives you access to the school’s “real time” directory, handbook, forms, documents and more.   This is where you can update your contact information, and add names to your Emergency Contacts and Extended Care pick-up list.  This is also where Grades 1-8 parents can download student End-of-Year Reports, and High School parents can download student End-of-Semester Transcripts and student Quarterly Reports.

Keeping your contact information up-to-date through this portal is vital for school communications.  The information you provide through your parent portal automatically uploads into Parent Square nightly, and is forwarded to the appropriate school departments as needed.  If you have any difficulties technically or otherwise, please contact Heather Taft, Registrar, registrar@waldorfsandiego.org.

Simply log in using your parent credentials to stay updated and involved in your child’s academic progress.

Note:  Your Ravenna Parent Portal is the same site you accessed to complete your child’s application.  All new parents/caregivers receive an invitation to set up your parent portal at the beginning of the year.
Jump to Ravenna

ParentSquare is our easy-to-use, tool that streamlines communication and engagement. Receive class specific messages or school-wide announcements. Volunteer for camping trips, get that update about the item change on the hot lunch menu, or pay for tickets for the next high school Shakespeare production. You’ll hear from Admin, from your student’s teacher, from the Board of Trustees and from your assigned room parent/caregiver. Never miss a beat with ParentSquare and make the most of your Waldorf experience.  note: while individual posts can be viewed from email notifications, it is highly recommended to download the app to have access to the most recent information and all the functions.

 

The information you provide in Ravenna automatically uploads into Parent Square nightly, and is forwarded to the appropriate school departments as needed.  If you have any difficulties technically or otherwise, please contact Ian Cuevas, Communications, communications@waldorfsandiego.org.

Use ParentSquare to/for:

  • Committee/Group/Class communication
  • Attendance tracking
  • School event calendar, event details and calls-to-action
  • Volunteer sign-ups
  • Direct communication with Grades Extended Care teachers (after school)
  • Access to school forms and documents
  • and more….
Jump to ParentSquare

Hands Together, Working Joyously

A Message from your Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees warmly welcomes all students and their families to the ’24-’25 school year.  Between the hiring of a new Director of Administration in Kevin Patrick, the increase in salaries and pay for all WSSD teachers and staff, and the investment in the Altadena campus, we know that this is going to be a special year.  We hope that this year is full of growth, friends, kindness, and learning for our entire WSSD community.  

Stay Connected with Our Social Media

For an almost daily dose of WSSD, follow our social media, where we share campus life and school culture, recap events and festivals, showcase teacher and student work, and occasionally share community partnerships and resources.

This is also a powerful marketing tool. Please feel free to reshare any of our posts or use #wssd in any of your personal posts about your own experiences at school or of your student’s work. We can always use extra ambassadors to help share the magic that happens at our school and of Waldorf education in general.

The Weekly Wave - WSSD's Bulletin

Our weekly bulletin provides a brief overview of upcoming events, recent achievements, and important announcements. An new issue is published every Friday afternoon via Parentsquare. Therein, you will also find the most up to date At-A-Glance Calendar.

Waldorf Parents Google Group

This is a google group to connect with families past and present with connections to WSSD and other Waldorf Schools in San Diego. WSSD does not manage and is not affiliated with this group; but it has been found to be a useful resource for sharing, ideas, businesses and more (as a community should!).

Welcome to Our School Community

...from your New Administrator

Greetings Waldorf San Diego community!  I am elated and grateful to be joining this awe-inspiring family of students, parents, faculty and staff as a parent, ‘co-learner’, and coworker. I have served as an educator in a variety of ‘alternative’ school contexts, but what I have seen and experienced thus far at this school is beyond that trite label. Since joining this team, what I have witnessed feels as genuine, deep, and meaningful as it gets and I could not imagine a better place for my son to flourish and nourish his head, heart, and hands. I have spent the last few weeks getting to know the faculty, staff, and many of your families in group events and individually and one common theme inspires me more everyday. You are all clearly passionate about providing our children first-rate learning opportunities and experiences. I look forward to serving, supporting, and learning with you and I am confident our stellar faculty and staff will, as Rudolf Steiner prescribed: 

“Receive the children in reverence, educate them in love, and send them forth in freedom.”

Good Things for Parents to Know

Dress Code

Please refer to the Parent Handbook for a comprehensive guide to WSSD’s dress code.

WSSD Parent Handbook 2024-2025

Though not a requirement, we strongly encourage your student to wear natural fibers so they may move freely and comfortably during their school day.

To help avoid distractions in class and to stay aligned with our media poicy, we ask that clothing with heavy graphics of media-nature not be worn at school.

Electronics Free Zone

WSSD is a cell phone-free school. Students in Grade K-8 are not permitted to possess cell phones, smart watches and similar devices at school. At the high school, all smart phones are checked-in safely each morning using Yondr pouches. For adults, there are designated areas, free of students, to use phones. In cases of true emergencies, staff & faculty have the ability to utilize any technology necessary to keep students, staff and colleagues safe.

Gates & Codes

Gates are open ONLY during pick-up & drop-off.

Altadena (Kindergarten & Grades): #2019

Colina (High School): 2019

Please do not share these code. Only WSSD community members and vendors should be using these codes outside of pick-up & drop-off times.

Absences

EC: notify the front office: (619) 280-8016 and your EC teacher of your student’s absence.

Grades: notify the front office via phone (619) 280-8016 x200.

High School: leave a voicemail on the HS Reception Voicemail  (619-287-3054 x300) before 8:00 am.

Dismissal Times

Nursery

  • Nursery sessions end at 12:30pm.

Early Childhood

  • Depending on your program, your student is dismissed at 1:00pm or 2:45pm.

Grades (1 – 5)

  • Grades 1 – 2 get out at 2pm everyday.
  • Grades 3 – 5 get out at 3pm on MTWF.
  • Early Release Day is Thursdays at 2pm for Grades 3-5 only. Expect heavier traffic on these days, and plan accordingly please.

Middle School (6 – 8)

  • Students dismissed 3pm everyday; no early release days

High School

  • M-TH 3pm
  • F 2:45pm

Waldorf Spirit Wear by Liza Ferrraro

Show your school spirit by getting the latest WSSD designs here! You can get your favorite WSSD Wave Logos, Sports Team Logos, & Waldorf School Pride Logos on t-shirts or sweatshirts! Also WSSD Gym Clothes available for grades 7-12! Click here to learn more about our supplier!

Doors Open...

School doors open at 7:45am (no drop offs prior to 7:45am) for Kindergarten through High School, and at 8:00 am for Nursery.

Classes start promptly at

  • 8:05am for High School
  • 8:15am for Elementary Grades
  • 8:30am for Early Childhood

Extended Care

Extended Care is available for our parents/caregivers who work past our school schedule. This is offered for a fee for both Grades and Early Childhood. Please see the front office for information and registration forms.

Scrip

Learn more about the Scrip Program here!

Tuition & Billing

The platform we use for Tuition Contracts, Agreements and Billings. 

Hands Together, Working Joyously

A Message from your Pedagogical Group

Welcome to a new school year at WSSD! Whether you are returning or joining us for the first time, we are delighted to have you as part of our vibrant community. We look forward to nurturing your children’s growth and guiding them on a journey filled with wonder, creativity, and learning.
As your pedagogical group, we are committed to creating a warm, supportive environment where every teacher and student thrives. Together, let us embrace the bright future that lies ahead, as we continue to foster a love of learning and a deep connection to the world around us. Here’s to a year of discovery, joy, and shared purpose. Welcome back!
Warmly, The Pedagogical Group

Many Hands Make Light Work

Volunteer! Join a Committee!

Parent volunteerism is essential in a Waldorf school because it fosters a strong sense of community and collaboration, which are core values of Waldorf education. Through their active participation, parents help enrich the school’s environment, support teachers, and contribute to events and activities that nurture the whole child. This involvement strengthens the bond between families and the school, ensuring that the educational experience is holistic and deeply connected to the community’s shared values. Volunteerism also models for students the importance of service and cooperation.

 

Below are just a few committees open for membership: