Alumni Perspectives
In a study of over 500 Waldorf alumni it was found that:
A majority of Waldorf graduates share many characteristics, of which three are predominant:
• Waldorf graduates think for themselves and value the opportunity to translate their new ideas into practice. They both value and practice lifelong learning and have a highly developed sense for aesthetics.
• Waldorf graduates value lasting human relationships—and they seek out opportunities to be of help to other people.
• Waldorf graduates are guided by an inner moral compass that helps them navigate the trials and temptations of professional and private life. They carry high ethical principles into their chosen professions.
Waldorf alumni are perceived as thinking flexibly, often “outside the box,” and integrating seemingly unrelated
subjects with clarity and courage. One professor commented on his Waldorf undergraduate’s ability “to think creatively, to assimilate information as opposed to memorizing isolated facts."
The survey found that an impressive majority of Waldorf school graduates pursue and complete degrees in higher education, with 94 percent of Waldorf graduates attending college.
What former Oakland Steiner students have to say
About Critical Thinking
“The education at OSS taught me to think rather than memorizing facts out of a textbook.” -Grant ‘05
An OSS Waldorf education “taught me to think and attack problems from a variety of viewpoints. It gave me a creative outlook that others did not have and it made me enjoy learning the way others didn’t.” “As I grew up, I valued the education more and more.” -Nora ‘03
“OSS taught me to think independently and analytically.” -Jasmine ‘07
“I learn concepts easily because OSS allowed me to make connections between diff erent areas of my knowledge.”
-Anthony ‘06
About Reverence for Life
Waldorf education “helps you be more responsible, it builds on your integrity.” -Truman ‘07
An OSS Waldorf education “fosters a level of kindness I’ve never seen in others.” -Electra ‘00
An OSS Waldorf education is “not skills you can measure on a test or the ACT, it is human values.” -Hannah ‘09
“I have an appreciation for the arts and nature along with sensitivity for life.” -Adam ‘08
“I walk with courage because of the storytelling that lives within me” -Miles ‘06
About Dreaming & Self Confidence
OSS graduates “see what is possible in the world, they dream big, they want to make a difference.” -Karen
“OSS allowed me to show everyone my true self and be confident.” -Ananna ‘10
“OSS taught me to be open to all ideas, to fi nd humor and be innovative and made me well-rounded.” -Ellen ‘04
About Relationships & Community
“The students in your class are closer than friends, they are family, and you know that you will know them the rest of your life.” -Matt
OSS is “a fabulous place for children to have a childhood. The life force I see in Waldorf children is missing in others.” -A mother of three OSS alumni and therapist
About Love of Learning
“There have never been subjects I didn’t like. I have a love of learning.” -Daniel PhD, ‘99
“I internalize class material, instead of simply memorizing it. Understanding concepts means being able to apply ideas.” -Debora ‘03
A majority of Waldorf graduates share many characteristics, of which three are predominant:
• Waldorf graduates think for themselves and value the opportunity to translate their new ideas into practice. They both value and practice lifelong learning and have a highly developed sense for aesthetics.
• Waldorf graduates value lasting human relationships—and they seek out opportunities to be of help to other people.
• Waldorf graduates are guided by an inner moral compass that helps them navigate the trials and temptations of professional and private life. They carry high ethical principles into their chosen professions.
Waldorf alumni are perceived as thinking flexibly, often “outside the box,” and integrating seemingly unrelated
subjects with clarity and courage. One professor commented on his Waldorf undergraduate’s ability “to think creatively, to assimilate information as opposed to memorizing isolated facts."
The survey found that an impressive majority of Waldorf school graduates pursue and complete degrees in higher education, with 94 percent of Waldorf graduates attending college.
What former Oakland Steiner students have to say
About Critical Thinking
“The education at OSS taught me to think rather than memorizing facts out of a textbook.” -Grant ‘05
An OSS Waldorf education “taught me to think and attack problems from a variety of viewpoints. It gave me a creative outlook that others did not have and it made me enjoy learning the way others didn’t.” “As I grew up, I valued the education more and more.” -Nora ‘03
“OSS taught me to think independently and analytically.” -Jasmine ‘07
“I learn concepts easily because OSS allowed me to make connections between diff erent areas of my knowledge.”
-Anthony ‘06
About Reverence for Life
Waldorf education “helps you be more responsible, it builds on your integrity.” -Truman ‘07
An OSS Waldorf education “fosters a level of kindness I’ve never seen in others.” -Electra ‘00
An OSS Waldorf education is “not skills you can measure on a test or the ACT, it is human values.” -Hannah ‘09
“I have an appreciation for the arts and nature along with sensitivity for life.” -Adam ‘08
“I walk with courage because of the storytelling that lives within me” -Miles ‘06
About Dreaming & Self Confidence
OSS graduates “see what is possible in the world, they dream big, they want to make a difference.” -Karen
“OSS allowed me to show everyone my true self and be confident.” -Ananna ‘10
“OSS taught me to be open to all ideas, to fi nd humor and be innovative and made me well-rounded.” -Ellen ‘04
About Relationships & Community
“The students in your class are closer than friends, they are family, and you know that you will know them the rest of your life.” -Matt
OSS is “a fabulous place for children to have a childhood. The life force I see in Waldorf children is missing in others.” -A mother of three OSS alumni and therapist
About Love of Learning
“There have never been subjects I didn’t like. I have a love of learning.” -Daniel PhD, ‘99
“I internalize class material, instead of simply memorizing it. Understanding concepts means being able to apply ideas.” -Debora ‘03
3976 S. Livernois - Rochester Hills, MI 48307 248-299-8755 info@oaklandsteiner.org
