Highland Hall Waldorf School is a private Waldorf school in Los Angeles, serving families from preschool through Grade 12 in Northridge, California. Established in 1955, the independent, non-sectarian school combines college-preparatory academics with art, music, practical skills, outdoor education, and experiential learning. Parents searching for Waldorf schools in Los Angeles, private schools in Los Angeles, or a Waldorf school near me may find its developmentally structured curriculum especially relevant. The school operates on an 11-acre campus and describes its educational purpose as developing creative, thoughtful, capable, and socially responsible students through learning that engages the head, heart, and hands.
Highland Hall’s curriculum integrates conventional academic subjects with painting, drama, instrumental music, handwork, woodworking, gardening, physical education, and world languages. Younger students learn in technology-limited classrooms, while older students receive age-appropriate instruction in digital citizenship and computer applications. Its high school follows a college-preparatory curriculum that the school says exceeds University of California entrance requirements. Small-school relationships, artistic integration, practical work, cultural learning, and environmental responsibility are central features of the program. Highland Hall also offers Parent & Child classes, Waldorf preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle school, high school, after-school care, class trips, athletics, and seasonal summer camps.
Located in Northridge within the City of Los Angeles, Highland Hall serves families exploring private K–12 schools in Los Angeles, Waldorf education in California, and Northridge private schools. The California Department of Education lists the school as an active private K–12 institution located within Los Angeles Unified School District boundaries. Families should evaluate its educational philosophy, tuition arrangements, age requirements, media expectations, commute, and available enrollment spaces before applying. For additional California school listings and comparisons, visit School in California. The information below is based primarily on the school’s official website, the California Department of Education, and identified third-party school directories.
1. Basic Information
Highland Hall Waldorf School is an independent, nonprofit and non-sectarian school following the Waldorf educational model. Although the California Department of Education directory records its regulated grade span as K–12, the school independently operates preschool and Parent & Child programs for younger children. Highland Hall identifies itself as the oldest Waldorf school in the western United States and reports serving students since 1955. Its educational identity is built around creative and critical thinking, developmentally appropriate instruction, artistic integration and experiential learning. The school’s published mission emphasizes discernment, wonder, joy in learning, reverence for life and responsible action. Official school profile
| Information | Verified details |
|---|---|
| School name | Highland Hall Waldorf School |
| School type | Private, independent, nonprofit, coeducational, non-sectarian Waldorf school |
| Established | 1955 |
| Programs/grades | Parent & Child, Preschool, Kindergarten and Grades 1–12 |
| Parent & Baby age range | Newborn to 18 months |
| Parent & Child age range | Walking children through age 3 |
| Preschool age range | 2 years 9 months through 5 years |
| Kindergarten age range | Approximately 4.5 through 7 years |
| Elementary school | Grades 1–5 |
| Middle school | Grades 6–8 |
| High school | Grades 9–12 |
| Official homepage headline | “Creative, Critical Thinkers” |
| Published positioning line | “Where Art and Academics Converge” |
| Religious affiliation | Non-sectarian and non-denominational |
| CDE status | Active private school |
| CDS code | 19 64733 6934913 |
| Public school district boundary | Los Angeles Unified |
| Campus size | 11 acres |
2. Contact and Location Details
Highland Hall Waldorf School is located on Superior Street in Northridge, a neighborhood within Los Angeles. The official website and California Department of Education publish the same primary address and telephone number. The school provides separate email channels for general questions, enrollment inquiries and event announcements. No official mobile or WhatsApp number is publicly identified, so one should not be added to the directory. GPS coordinates below correspond to the published street address and may be used for a map embed. Publishers should retain “Northridge” in the address instead of replacing it with central Los Angeles because it provides more precise local search relevance. Official contact page
| Contact field | Verified details |
|---|---|
| Physical address | 17100 Superior Street, Northridge, CA 91325 |
| CDE-formatted address | 17100 Superior St., Northridge, CA 91325-1911 |
| GPS coordinates | 34.2455366, -118.5056883 |
| Google Maps | View directions |
| Main office | (818) 349-1394; press 0 for reception |
| Fax | (818) 341-6455 |
| General email | info@highlandhall.org |
| Enrollment email | enroll@highlandhall.org |
| Events email | events@highlandhall.org |
| Official website | https://highlandhall.org/ |
| Highland Hall | |
| @highlandhall | |
| YouTube | Official Highland Hall school film |
3. Academic and Curriculum
The Highland Hall curriculum follows a developmental Waldorf approach in which academic concepts are taught through observation, storytelling, discussion, movement, artistic work and practical experience. Lower-school students study reading, writing, mathematics and science alongside music, painting, handwork, drama, gardening and woodworking. Technology use is limited in younger grades, while middle-school students study Cyber Civics, keyboarding and common productivity applications. High school students complete intellectually challenging, arts-integrated, college-preparatory coursework. The school also offers sustained world-language instruction. Published enrollment data indicate a low student-to-teacher ratio, although that statistic should not be interpreted as the maximum number of children allowed in every classroom.
| Academic field | Verified details |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | Developmental, arts-integrated Waldorf curriculum |
| Educational approach | Experiential, project-based, hands-on and college preparatory |
| Core subjects | English, reading, writing, mathematics, science, history and geography |
| Integrated subjects | Music, fine art, drama, handwork, woodworking, gardening and physical education |
| Mandarin Chinese | Grades 1–9 |
| Spanish | Grades 1–6 |
| German | Grades 7–12 |
| Language methodology | Immersion-style instruction with communicative fluency and cultural studies |
| Technology approach | Technology-limited lower-school classrooms; Cyber Civics and computer applications in middle school |
| Reported student-teacher ratio | 5:1 in 2021–22 NCES-derived data; this is not an official classroom-size limit |
| High school standard | College preparatory; school states that standards surpass UC entrance requirements |
| Assessment philosophy | Observation, written work, artistic projects, classroom participation and developmentally appropriate evaluation |
4. Programs and Timing
Highland Hall provides a continuous educational pathway from infant-caregiver sessions through Grade 12. Its publicly stated daily hours are clearest for preschool and kindergarten; general operating hours for Grades 1–12 are not published on the reviewed pages. Preschool offers full-day and reduced-day options, while kindergarten follows a five-day schedule and has after-school care. Seasonal Parent & Child sessions serve babies, toddlers and caregivers. The school also provides lower-, middle- and high-school programs, class trips, athletics and summer camps. Summer camp registration is offered by the week, with full-day or half-day options for eligible elementary and middle-school children. Families should confirm each schedule directly before enrollment.
| Program | Published schedule/details |
|---|---|
| Parent & Baby | Seasonal weekly sessions for newborns–18 months |
| Parent & Child | Seasonal weekday and Saturday sessions for walkers–age 3 |
| Preschool full day | 8:00 a.m.–2:45 p.m. |
| Preschool reduced day | 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; limited spaces |
| Kindergarten | Five days weekly, 8:00 a.m.–2:45 p.m. |
| Kindergarten after-school care | 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Lower School | Grades 1–5 |
| Middle School | Grades 6–8 |
| High School | Grades 9–12 |
| Summer camps | Weekly registration; age-based programs and activities |
| Summer camp schedule options | Full day, morning or afternoon for Grades 1–8 |
| Class trips | Offered across lower, middle and high school |
5. Fees and Admissions
Admission begins with a school visit designed to help families understand Waldorf education and allow the school to learn about the applicant. Parents then create an account in Ravenna, complete an online application, provide any supplemental material requested by the Enrollment Director and attend an in-person interview. Accepted students proceed to enrollment. The official tuition page did not display a standard tuition table during verification, so an unverified annual amount should not be published as current tuition. Highland Hall instead emphasizes its Tuition Adjustment program for Kindergarten through Grade 12. Preschool families are not eligible for tuition adjustment. Enrollment availability varies by program and should be confirmed directly.
| Admissions field | Verified details |
|---|---|
| Application platform | Ravenna Parent Portal |
| Admission sequence | Visit → online application → face-to-face interview → enrollment |
| Supplemental documents | Provided to applicants by the Enrollment Director after application submission |
| Tuition publication | Exact current base tuition was not displayed on the reviewed official page |
| Tuition Adjustment | Available to qualifying Kindergarten–Grade 12 families |
| Preschool financial assistance | Tuition Adjustment is not available for preschool |
| Multiple-child consideration | Additional tuition adjustment may be available |
| Scholarships | Limited full and partial merit-based scholarships for Grades 6–12 students with demonstrated financial need |
| Assistance allocation | School reports nearly $1.4 million in annual tuition assistance, approximately 24% of its operating budget |
| Enrollment status | Program-specific; families must inquire about current availability |
| Enrollment contact | enroll@highlandhall.org |
6. Facilities and Infrastructure
Highland Hall’s 11-acre Northridge campus supports classroom, artistic, athletic and outdoor learning. One of its most distinctive facilities is a three-acre biodynamic farm containing raised vegetable beds, a greenhouse, an outdoor classroom, herb gardens, row-crop fields, an orchard, a permaculture food forest, a monarch sanctuary, beehives and chickens. The curriculum uses these spaces for practical environmental education. Music, art, drama, woodworking and physical-education programs indicate access to dedicated creative and activity areas. The school also states that preschool environments are designed for indoor and outdoor play. Its website confirms compliance with California immunization requirements but does not publicly substantiate CCTV access, security guards or transportation routes.
| Facility or service | Verified details |
|---|---|
| Main campus | 11-acre Northridge campus |
| Farm | Three-acre biodynamic farm |
| Growing facilities | 24 raised beds, greenhouse, row-crop fields and orchard |
| Outdoor learning | Outdoor classroom, gardens and natural play experiences |
| Ecology features | Permaculture food forest, monarch sanctuary, beehives and chickens |
| Creative learning | Art, music, drama, woodworking and handwork |
| Athletic activities | Physical education, basketball, volleyball, soccer, archery and other age-based activities |
| Food program | Parent Association manages a Hot Lunch Program |
| Parent & Child snacks | Snacks are provided during specified sessions |
| Health policy | School states that it follows California vaccination and reporting laws |
7. Staff and Management
Highland Hall uses a shared governance structure involving its Board of Trustees, Pedagogical Chair, Collegium and operational leadership. The California Department of Education identifies Ken Lavner as Head of School, while the school’s leadership page identifies him as Pedagogical Chair for the Collegium. The Board is responsible for legal, financial, policy and long-term governance rather than everyday teaching decisions. The Collegium oversees pedagogical quality, supports teacher mentoring and professional development, and affirms hiring recommendations. Highland Hall describes its faculty as experienced and committed to Waldorf education. Because a complete current staff-qualification register and individual background-check results are not publicly available, such claims should not be added to a directory profile.
| Leadership field | Verified details |
|---|---|
| Head of School in CDE directory | Ken Lavner |
| Published school role | Pedagogical Chair for the Collegium |
| Custodian of Records | Shanda Cox |
| Enrollment Manager | Hiwa Elms |
| Board function | Legal, financial, policy and long-term governance |
| Collegium function | Pedagogical direction, teacher hiring confirmation, mentoring and professional development |
| Leadership email listed by CDE | klavner@highlandhall.org |
| Records contact | scox@highlandhall.org |
| Leadership-information contact | outreach@highlandhall.org |
8. Events, Activities and Extracurriculars
Creative and practical activities are embedded in the core Highland Hall curriculum rather than treated only as optional extras. Students participate in music, painting, drawing, drama, gardening, handwork, woodworking and physical education. Middle-school opportunities include volleyball, basketball, archery, Medieval Games, a ropes course, track events and collaborative engineering projects. Summer camps add soccer, flag football, chess, tabletop games, farm activities, water play and arts and crafts, depending on age and session. Annual community celebrations include May Faire, Hispanic Heritage Month activities, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Festival of Courage and winter events. Curriculum-connected trips are offered at lower-, middle- and high-school levels.
| Activity category | Verified offerings |
|---|---|
| Visual arts | Painting, drawing, clay work and other fine arts |
| Performing arts | Music, singing, instrumental study and drama |
| Practical arts | Handwork, knitting, crafts and woodworking |
| Outdoor education | Gardening, farm activities and class trips |
| Sports | Basketball, volleyball, soccer, archery, track and physical education |
| Middle-school experiences | Medieval Games, ropes course and Rube Goldberg projects |
| Community events | May Faire, Winter Faire and Winter Assembly |
| Cultural events | Hispanic Heritage Month, Diwali and Lunar New Year |
| Additional festival | Festival of Courage |
| Summer activities | Sports, chess, tabletop games, arts and crafts, farm and garden, and water play |
| Field trips | Developmentally structured trips for lower, middle and high school |
9. Reviews and Accreditations
The California Department of Education lists Highland Hall as an active private K–12 school under CDS code 19 64733 6934913. The school states that it is an accredited member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America. An older ACS WASC directory showed a Highland Hall accreditation period ending in 2025; a current post-2025 WASC term was not independently verified and therefore should not be described as active without updated confirmation. Review scores vary by platform and can change at any time. As of verification, Niche displayed 4.2 out of 5 from 35 reviews, while GreatSchools displayed 4.7 out of 5 from 77 reviews.
| Recognition field | Verified details |
|---|---|
| California status | Active private K–12 school |
| CDS code | 19 64733 6934913 |
| AWSNA | School states it is an accredited AWSNA member |
| Historical ACS WASC listing | Listed with a 1975–2025 accreditation period; current renewal requires confirmation |
| Niche rating snapshot | 4.2/5 from 35 reviews |
| GreatSchools rating snapshot | 4.7/5 from 77 reviews |
| Niche 2026 overall grade | A+ |
| Niche national private K–12 ranking | No. 260 of 3,055 |
| Niche California private K–12 ranking | No. 38 of 209 |
| Important note | Third-party ratings and rankings are dynamic and are not government evaluations |
10. Parent Communication and Amenities
Highland Hall uses several communication systems for prospective and enrolled families. Ravenna supports admissions applications, while ParentSquare is linked from the school website for current-school communication. The Parent Association includes every enrolled parent automatically and supports events, fundraising, parent education, the Hot Lunch Program and a network of Room Representatives. Families may also subscribe to event notices through the school’s events email channel. Preschool children must be potty trained before attendance, while Parent & Child programs accommodate younger children with their caregivers. The reviewed official information does not substantiate a public real-time bus-tracking service or separate parent attendance-tracking application.
| Parent service | Verified details |
|---|---|
| Admissions portal | Ravenna |
| School communication platform | ParentSquare |
| Parent organization | Highland Hall Parent Association |
| PA membership | Every enrolled parent is automatically a member |
| Parent Association activities | Community events, fundraising, parent education, Hot Lunch Program and Room Representatives |
| Event updates | Available through events@highlandhall.org |
| Preschool potty-training policy | Children must be potty trained |
| Parent & Child participation | Caregiver attends with child |
| Enrollment support | enroll@highlandhall.org |
| General inquiries | info@highlandhall.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Highland Hall Waldorf School a private school?
Yes. The California Department of Education identifies Highland Hall as an active private K–12 school. The school also operates preschool and Parent & Child programs.
Where is Highland Hall Waldorf School located?
It is located at 17100 Superior Street, Northridge, CA 91325, within the City of Los Angeles.
What ages does Highland Hall accept?
Programs begin with Parent & Baby classes for newborns. Preschool begins at approximately 2 years and 9 months, and the full academic program continues through Grade 12.
Is Highland Hall a religious school?
No. The school describes itself as non-sectarian and non-denominational, although Waldorf education recognizes a spiritual dimension to human development.
How much is Highland Hall Waldorf School tuition?
The reviewed official tuition page did not publish a current standard tuition table. Families should contact enrollment directly for the applicable program and school year.
Does Highland Hall offer financial aid?
The school offers a Tuition Adjustment program for qualifying Kindergarten–Grade 12 families. Preschool is excluded. Limited merit-based scholarships may be available for Grades 6–12 students with demonstrated financial need.
Does preschool require potty training?
Yes. Highland Hall’s official preschool page states that children must be potty trained before attending.
Does the school offer after-school care?
Yes. The kindergarten page lists after-school care from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
What languages are taught?
The school publishes Mandarin Chinese for Grades 1–9, Spanish for Grades 1–6 and German for Grades 7–12.
How can families apply?
The application process includes a school visit, an online Ravenna application, requested supplemental forms, an in-person interview and enrollment after acceptance.
Conclusion
Highland Hall Waldorf School offers a distinctive private-school experience for Los Angeles families seeking arts-integrated, developmentally structured and experiential education. Its preschool-through-Grade-12 pathway, small-school environment, world languages, three-acre biodynamic farm, creative subjects, athletics and college-preparatory high school are important considerations for prospective families. Because tuition, enrollment availability, leadership roles, schedules and public ratings may change, parents should verify final details directly with Highland Hall before applying. This independently prepared directory profile is informational and is not an official school publication or endorsement.
