Our Community

Living in Ithaca

Nestled in the heart of New York's Finger Lakes region, our school is part of Ithaca’s vibrant and family-friendly scene known for its natural beauty, cultural diversity and lively college-town atmosphere. Home to Cornell University and Ithaca College, the city boasts a thriving arts and music scene, a wide range of outdoor recreational activities and a strong sense of community.

Families in Ithaca enjoy easy access to stunning gorges and waterfalls, as well as numerous parks and nature trails for hiking, biking and other outdoor activities. The city is also home to a variety of cultural institutions, including the award-winning Hangar Theatre and the Ithaca Children's Garden, which offers a range of educational programs and events for families with young children.

In addition to its natural beauty and cultural attractions, Ithaca has a strong local economy and a diverse array of dining, shopping and entertainment options. The city's downtown area is home to numerous boutiques, cafes and restaurants, as well as a famous weekly farmers' market and an abundance of community festivals and events throughout the year. Ithaca is a welcoming and vibrant community that offers a high quality of life for families of all ages and interests.

We nurture students & parents

Waldorf Parents are invited to participate in school life in fun and nourishing ways through:

Parent Council

Alongside the faculty, administration, and the Board of Directors, the Parent Council facilitates communication and inspires participation in the social life, celebrations, and stewardship of our school.

The council has a chair and co-chair and includes at least two parents from each class that meet monthly, and support other community events and activities. All parents are welcome to share their wisdom, enthusiasm, ideas and energy, and this is a great way to get more involved in school life and a great place to start.

Please contact the Parent Council Chair for more information and to be added to the email list for updates at parentcouncil@ithacawaldorf.org

Our Parent Council Has a Four-Fold Intention

  • Nurturing

    First, it nurtures the social life of the parent community. The Parent Council organizes and channels the gifts and energies of the parent body to initiate and support events that foster community. These events include festivals like the Elves’ Fair, potluck meals, parent discussions, and enrichment opportunities.  

  • Communication

    Second, it facilitates communication among the parent body, faculty, administration, and the Board. At least two parents from each classroom are active members of the Parent Council, meetings are attended by a member of the administration, and Parent Council has a representative on the Board.

  • Support

    Third, it supports the faculty and administration. The Parent Council supports the school by organizing and supporting festivals and events throughout the school year, has a committee to welcome and mentor new families to the school, and assists the school with community outreach.

  • Inspiration

    Fourth, it inspires and supports parent understanding of Waldorf education by offering learning opportunities. The Parent Council brings topics for discussion as they arise and speakers to meetings to help broaden parents’ perspective of Waldorf education. As parents’ understanding deepens, they will be better able to support their children, the teachers, and the school community.  

Our Alumni

Ithaca Waldorf School alumni go into the world eager to learn and evoke change! Recent alumni are successful students at High Schools in Ithaca (IHS, New Roots and Cascadilla), Trumansburg, Lansing, Newfield and beyond. And alumni students are attending the following institutions to pursue degrees as diverse as mathematics, bioengineering, environmental science, and fine arts: Ithaca College, Cornell University, Oberlin College, Colgate University, Alfred University, Wooster College, Skidmore College, Bard College and St Olaf College.

Alumni families are also happy to share their stories of "life after Ithaca Waldorf School” with interested parents and caregivers who are eager to learn more. We encourage you to email us at office@ithacawaldorf.org to be connected with these alumni families to hear their first-hand experiences.