Welcome!
Prairie Moon Waldorf School is part of an independent educational movement of over 900 schools worldwide that is dedicated to recognizing the unique spirit of each child. Through a rich curriculum that integrates the academic, artistic and practical, Prairie Moon Waldorf School fosters the development of self-knowledge and helps children to engage fully in the world by awakening in them warmth of heart, clarity of thought, and strength of purpose. With an enduring 90-year history and a bright future, the International Waldorf School movement is the largest and fastest growing non-sectarian school movement in the world.
Prairie Moon Waldorf School is operated by the Waldorf Association of Lawrence, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational corporation registered in Kansas. Prairie Moon welcomes children of all cultural, racial, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Now in its 5th year of operation, Prairie Moon Waldorf School is a developing member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America.
Commitment to “Green” Principles, Responsible Environmental Stewardship and the Development of Sustainable Local Economy
In 2009, Prairie Moon Waldorf School received two grants that have enabled the school to develop initiatives related to environmental education, water conservation and local organic food production. A grant provided by the Elizabeth Schultz Environmental Fund of the Douglas County Community Foundation supported the establishment of the Okanis market garden at the school. The garden involves students, teachers and volunteers in organic fruit, flower and vegetable production for the local market. The school operates a CSA (community supported agriculture) subscription program and sells produce to the Community Mercantile Natural Foods Grocery. A second grant provided by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and administered through the Kansas Association of Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE), supported the writing of a Waldorf inspired environmental education curriculum for use at the school and for various water conservation techniques to be put into practice. The school built a system for rainwater harvesting and storage for use in garden irrigation. Awarding of this grant qualified Prairie Moon Waldorf School to be designated Douglas County’s first official Kansas Green School.
Prairie Moon Waldorf School became one of the state’s first Kansas Green Schools in 2009 after establishing a garden/science curriculum and innovative water harvesting system at the school. Okanis Garden partners/affiliates/cooperators now include the Elizabeth Schultz Environmental Fund at the Lawrence Community Foundation, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas Association of Conservation and Environmental Education, the Community Mercantile Natural Foods Grocery, Checkers Food Market, Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, the KU Center for Sustainability, Global Partners for Local Organic Foods (joint project of the Kansas Rural Center and the Center for East Asian Studies at KU), Citizens for Responsible Planning, and now, the Kansas Biological Survey and the University of Kansas.