About Three Cedars School

Mission

Our school strives to produce students who will, in a balanced manner, think clearly, feel deeply and impart purpose to their own lives. A key to this goal is an approach which preserves the human being's natural love for learning. By honoring and supporting the whole child — head, heart, hands and spirit — our students are supported in growing up to be confident, capable and well-grounded individuals. We encourage introspection and self-knowledge with the belief that deep learning and independent thinking occur when a child's motivation is intrinsic.

Affiliations

Three Cedars School is an Approved Private School with the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, a Developing School member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and a member of the Washington Federation of Independent Schools (WFIS).

Non-Discrimination

The Waldorf education movement was established to promote the peaceful evolution of humankind by leading children away from narrow interests toward a broad worldview. Three Cedars School continues the active development of that tradition. Consequently, it is not merely an act of compliance with federal law, but of free, willful and deliberate policy to offer Waldorf education to families who desire it for their children regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, class, gender, sexual orientation, family structure, or, to the extent our resources permit, their ability to pay.

History

Three Cedars School was founded in 1995 by a small group of parents wanting Waldorf Education for their children. The demand for excellent, independent education on the Eastside remains high, attracting many people to the Waldorf approach. Our first decade has been a time of great growth, both in size and in organizational strength. In 2000, with the generous support of our community, we purchased and renovated our current site - just under five beautiful acres in the heart of Bellevue - our own permanent home.

Governance

Three Cedars School is a nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. This means that contributions to the school other than tuition and fees are generally tax deductible. Our Board of Trustees is committed to servant-leadership, specifically the Policy Governance® model as developed by John Carver: the Board sets policies including measurable goals, and monitors results. The running of the school is the hands of an Executive Director and through her, all Faculty, administrative staff and volunteers, each expert in his or her field.