About Us & Our Educational Philosophy
A Waldorf-Inspired Public Charter School in Santa Fe, New Mexico
A New Beginning Rooted in Deep Tradition
Located in the heart of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Sun Mountain Community School begins a new chapter in a story already rich with meaning.
Our school was born from the legacy of Waldorf education in Santa Fe. When the long-standing private Santa Fe Waldorf School closed in 2023, families, educators, and community leaders came together with a shared commitment: to carry forward the spirit of whole-child education—and make it accessible to all. With the support of a state charter and a deep well of community will, Sun Mountain Community School opened as a public Waldorf-inspired school serving children in grades K–4 and 6 in our founding year. By year 2027, we will complete our charter commitment by growing to K-8th grade.
Here, the old and the new meet. Our name honors the land that holds us. Our curriculum honors the development of the child. Our charter honors the promise of equitable, public education. Together, we are building something rooted, beautiful, and lasting.
Our Mission
We are a tuition-free, Waldorf-inspired charter school dedicated to educating the whole child—intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially. Rooted in the developmental stages outlined by Rudolf Steiner, we nurture curiosity, creativity, and compassion. Students build rigorous academic foundations, forge meaningful connections to the natural world, and develop strong moral character through a curriculum that resonates with their life stage.
What Is Waldorf Education?
A Living Education for Head, Heart, and Hands
Waldorf education is a century-old approach founded by philosopher Rudolf Steiner. It honors the natural stages of human development and seeks to cultivate the capacities of thinking, feeling, and willing—the intellect, the emotional life, and the will to act with purpose and goodness.
In the early years, learning is guided by imagination, play, rhythm, and sensory experience. As children grow, so does the curriculum—becoming more academic, more conceptual, more individual. Throughout, the arts are not seen as extras, but as essential: a way to deepen learning, connect to the world, and express inner life.
Rather than rushing the child toward abstract outcomes, Waldorf education asks: What does this child need at this moment in their development? And: How can we meet that need with connection, intention, and love?
What Makes Sun Mountain Unique
Though inspired by Waldorf principles, Sun Mountain Community School is also a public charter school. This allows us to serve a diverse population tuition-free, while maintaining the heart and soul of a Waldorf education. Here are a few of the ways this comes to life:
A Developmentally-Responsive Curriculum
Our curriculum aligns with both Waldorf pedagogy and state standards, meeting each child where they are—academically, socially, and emotionally. Reading is taught through rich language experience and structured instruction. Math is approached both artistically and rigorously. History, science, and geography unfold in story, art, movement, and experimentation.
Main Lesson Blocks
Each school day begins with a two-hour main lesson—a deep, focused exploration of a single subject over several weeks. This immersive approach allows for deep understanding, artistic integration, and connection across disciplines.
Arts-Integrated Learning
Music, painting, movement, drama, handwork, and nature studies are woven into the daily rhythm—not as enrichment, but as essential modes of knowing and becoming.
Nature as Teacher
Children play outdoors daily—through all seasons and weather. Fieldwork, gardening, and wilderness experiences connect students to the rhythms of the Earth and cultivate reverence for life.
A Culture of Care
Our school is a community. Teachers work with their classes over multiple years, forming strong relationships and deep insight into each child’s journey. Teachers seek partnerships with parents and we regularly invite families to join us for special events on the campus. Assessment is thoughtful and narrative-based. Discipline is relational and restorative. We honor each child as a growing human being—whole, capable, and unique.
Rooted in Santa Fe
We are proud to be part of Santa Fe’s living cultural landscape—connected to the traditions, languages, and peoples of this place. Our school is housed on the former campus of Santa Fe Waldorf, nestled against the foothills, where sun and snow shape the days and piñon scent fills the air. In following the New Mexico State Standards, we have incorporated New Mexico history deeply into our curriculum and our festival life.
Our name, Sun Mountain, reflects not only the landscape but our vision: to help children grow with strength and clarity, grounded like a mountain, lit from within.
An Invitation
Sun Mountain Community School is more than a school—it is a growing community of educators, families, and children working together to create something meaningful. We invite you to visit, to learn more, and to imagine with us what education can be when it honors the full humanity of every child.
Blog & Latest News
Knitting: A Hands-On Lesson in Patience and Creativity
Knitting: A Hands-On Lesson in Patience and CreativityIn Waldorf education, knitting is far more than a handcraft—it’s a deeply meaningful developmental practice. As children loop…
Honoring Childhood’s Pace
Honoring Childhood’s PaceChildhood is not a race—it’s a sacred unfolding. In a world that often urges children to move faster, achieve more, and grow up…
The Nine-Year Change: A Milestone of Growth
Understanding the Nine-Year ChangeAround the age of nine, many children undergo a profound internal transformation—what Waldorf educators refer to as “the nine-year change.” During this…