Michael Mount Waldorf School is based on a century-old educational philosophy proven so successful that it has become one of the fastest-growing educational systems in the world. Here’s how it all started.
Rudolf Steiner was an Austrian scientist-philosopher who had articulated thought-provoking ideas on education in a series of public lectures and an influential 1907 essay titled ‘The Education of the Child’. The essay described the major phases of child development that formed the foundation of Steiner’s approach to education.
In the aftermath of World War I, Germans suffered economic depression and a deep sense of despondence. Emil Molt – a German businessman, social reformer, anthroposophist and director of the Waldorf-Astoria Zigarettenfabrik in Stuttgart, Germany – invited Dr. Steiner to lecture to the more than 1,000 employees of the factory.
Michael Mount Waldorf School Schools
Below are the schools at Michael Mount Waldorf School
The School
Early Childhood
4 Months – 4 Years
Baby Care Programme
Caters for babies from 4 months to two years old, from 7h00 to 17h30, Monday to Friday.
The Baby Care Programme at Michael Mount was started in direct response to calls from parents for a loving, gentle space run on Waldorf principles, to care for their babies.
“Most early education programs have been forced to accelerate the teaching of cognitive skills (which research is showing is inappropriate for these young children), while focusing less and less on their physical, emotional and social needs”. – Jane McCoy, BA, MA Curriculum Design, and a certified Waldorf teacher.
Babies do not distinguish between themselves and their surroundings. Michael Mount provides a safe haven where babies are slowly, gently
introduced to the world.
Nursery School
Ages 4 – 6
The Nursery School Curriculum
I used to think Waldorf education the most undamaging education,
but then the more I looked into it,
I found it the most beneficial system we have.
People ask, ‘What will happen to my child in the world if he doesn’t learn to read and write very early?’
The issue is that the child’s greatest strength for survival in a world of madness is to be whole,
sane and in touch with the heart. The beauty of the Waldorf School is that it keeps children intact
until they are ready to move out into the world as whole individuals.
Primary School
Ages 6 – 10 | Class 1 – 4
Curriculum topics are taught during an extended ‘main lesson’ for the first two hours of each morning, for a period of between 3 to 6 weeks – allowing an in-depth exploration of one subject at a time. The main lesson ties one topic to as many disciplines as possible. Each Main Lesson is rhythmically structured so that the children have to listen, work independently, participate and think at different times – involving the child in activities that awaken his or her powers of head (intellect), heart (feeling) and hands (doing). In Primary School, for instance, these activities could include mental maths, hand clapping games and jumping rope, folk dances, poetry recitation, singing, and writing and drawing in their ‘main lesson books’.
Middle School
Ages 10 – 14 | Class 5 – 8
The Waldorf curriculum is unusually broad, offering a wide range of subjects – from mythology to botany and everything in between. It is developmentally appropriate, experiential, and yet academically rigorous. In South Africa, Waldorf schools also offer all standard subjects required by the Department of Education.
Curriculum topics are taught during an extended ‘main lesson’ for the first two hours of each morning, for a period of between 3 to 6 weeks – allowing an in-depth exploration of one subject at a time. The main lesson ties one topic to as many disciplines as possible. Each Main Lesson is rhythmically structured so that the children have to listen, work independently, participate and think at different times – involving the child in activities that awaken his or her powers of head (intellect), heart (feeling) and hands (doing). In Primary School, for instance, these activities could include mental maths, hand clapping games and jumping rope, folk dances, poetry recitation, singing, and writing and drawing in their ‘main lesson books’.
High School
Ages 14 – 18 | Class 9 – 12
While the curriculum continues to meet young students in a developmentally appropriate manner, teaching now turns to the development of critical thinking, objectivity and self-discipline, through exploration, discussion and individual research. Main lessons continue in the high school, but are taken up by the specialist subject teachers. The class teacher is replaced by a class guardian who provides academic, social and personal support throughout the high school years. Weekly meetings are held between the Class and their guardian to plan activities, discuss issues and monitor progress.
Main lessons include English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Biology, Fine Arts, and Drama. Artistic activities include drama, music, painting, sculpture, Eurythmy, bookbinding, metal work, weaving, and woodwork. In addition to sports as a subject during school hours, High School students are encouraged to participate in team sports as an extra-curricular activity. All Waldorf students take all subjects up until Class 11, at which point they make their subject choices for matric.
Take a look at the subjects studied in the High School.
Michael Mount Waldorf School Admissions procedures & requirements
If you want to apply for admission, the following procedure and minimum requirements have to be met. The following are admission procedure and requirements :
1. Prospective parents must attend an Introductory Talk and complete a Preliminary Application.
2. If no places are available, prospective parents will be notified in the week following the Introductory Talk attended by the parent/s. Children’s names may be placed on the school’s waiting list.
3. If a place is available an interview will be arranged and, if appropriate, an academic assessment will be conducted.
4. The prospective parent will be required to complete a financial information form. A consumer profile and bank code enquiry will be conducted, as required by the National Credit Act.
5. Following the Bursar’s approval of the financial information and acceptance by the Class Teacher / Guardian, the registrar will issue a registration pack.
6. Age and other requirements:
a. Playgroup
- The child must have turned two by 31 December of the year prior to enrolment.
b. Nursery School
- The child must have turned four by 31 December of the year prior to enrolment.
c. Class 1 to 2
- The child must have turned six by mid-October to enter Class 1 in mid-January of the following year.
- Relevant prior reports and assessments are required.
d. Class 3 to 7
- Past reports and previous assessments are required.
- An academic assessment will be conducted.
- Acceptance is determined by the outcome of the academic assessment and an interview with the Class Teacher.
e. Class 8 to 10
- As for Class 3 to 7, except that acceptance is determined by the outcome of the academic assessment and an interview with the Class Guardian – not the Class Teacher.
f. Class 11 and 12
- We do not encourage admittance of new students in Class 11 and invariably do not accept new students into Class 12. Exceptions, such as moves from other Waldorf schools, are considered with care.
7. Language Requirements
The language of instruction at Michael Mount is English. All students are required to study one additional language. The school offers Afrikaans and isiZulu as additional languages.
8. Enrolment fees
- When a student is accepted into the school, a non-refundable enrolment fee is payable within four weeks.
- This enrolment fee must be paid in full to secure the place that has been offered. See Fees & financial matters
Michael Mount Waldorf School Fees & finances
1. Aftercare is also available on a casual basis: Half day @ R134 including lunch. Full day @ R170 including lunch.
Aftercare remains open during school holidays except for 3 weeks over December and January.
2. All fees are payable in advance.
- Baby Care is offered to babies between the ages of 4 months and 2 years. Full day @ R5039 per month or half day @ R3527 per month over 12 months January to December inclusive. By debit order only.
- Annual fees must be paid in advance by 15 January 2024 via eft.
- Termly fees paid in advance by debit order are paid in 4 instalments: 2 January, 2 April, 2 July, 2 October.
- Parents who have arranged to pay school fees by eft, cash or credit card should check the fee schedule for costs.
3. Sundry charges will appear on individual accounts for the following:
- Pupil Insurance: R180 (payable annually)
- Annual Class Fund:
- R100 for Baby Care
- R150 for Play Group and Nursery School
- R450 for Classes 1 to 7
- R600 for Classes 8 – 12
- Relevant IEB examination fees for classes 9 to 12
4. Sports and infrastructure/IT levy: R990 per child per annum payable in January 2024. (Sport R300 / Infrastructure and IT R690.)
5. Other expenses: outings, camps, photographs, text books. (Not charged to school account, payable by EFT or cash.)
6. Enrolment and registration fees:
- A once-off non-refundable, registration fee of R580 per child is payable.
- A once-off non-refundable enrolment fee of R15 000 per child for 2024 is payable on acceptance of registration.
- Pupils are accepted into the school when:
- Parents have attended an Introductory Talk
- Parents and prospective pupil have had an interview with the Class Teacher
- Parents have provided the requested financial documentation for consideration by the Finance Mandate
- Parents have paid the registration fee, enrolment fee and pupil insurance premium in full and a debit order form has been completed and submitted.
Term dates & hours at Michael Mount Waldorf School
Only public holidays falling during term time are shown on this calendar.
Term 1
| Start Start for Nursery School and Playgroup | Monday, 20 January Tuesday, 21 January |
| Mid-term break | Friday, 28 February to Monday 2 March- AFTERCARE CLOSED |
| Close | Friday, 3 April |
| Public Holidays | No public holidays |
Term 2
| Start | Monday, 20 April |
| Close | Friday, 26 June |
| Public Holidays | Monday, 27 April (Freedom Day) Friday, 1 May (Workers’ Day) Tuesday, 16 June (Youth Day) |
Term 3
| Start | Monday, 20 July |
| Close | Friday, 18 September |
| Public Holidays | Monday, 10 August (Women’s Day) |
Term 4
| Start | Monday, 5 October |
| Close Close for Nursery School and Playgroup | Friday, 4 December Wednesday,2 December and Thursday,3 December |
| Public Holidays | No public holidays |
School hours
Baby Care
7.00am to 5.30pm
Play Group
8.00am to 12.00pm
Nursery School
7.50am to 12.20pm
Classes 1 and 2
7.50am to 12.20pm
Classes 3 and 4
7.50am to 12.20pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 7.50am to 2.10pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Classes 5, 6, 7
7.50am to 2.10pm every day except Wednesday; 7.50 to 12.20pm on Wednesday
Classes 8 & 9
7.50am to 2.50pm every day except Wednesday; 12.20pm for Class 8 on Wednesday; 2.10 for Class 9 on Wednesday
Classes 10, 11 & 12
7.50am to 2.50pm every day
Aftercare hours
During School
12.20pm to 5.30pm (until 4.30pm for Play Group)
During Holidays
Full Day
7.30am to 5.30pm (until 4.30pm for Play Group)
Half Day
7.30am to 12.30pm or 12.30pm to 5.30pm (until 4.30pm for Play Group)
Aftercare is closed for 3 weeks during December and January
Baby Care is closed for 3 weeks during December and January
Preliminary application form
Complete the online Michael Mount preliminary application form in your own time.
Our Registrar will be in contact to answer all your questions and guide your next step.
Contact US
40 Culross Road, Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa
GPS co-ordinates: S26.04485° E28.02775°
email: waldorf@michaelmount.co.za
tel: +27 11 706 6125 / 6