[summers3d]

Hello everyone,
I've been following this forum for many months. I'd love to move my family to Vermont from Sacramento, Ca. Our kids attend the Sacramento Waldorf School and I'm wondering if anyone has any info about the Shelburne area south of Burlington where the Waldorf School is located. What kind of Waldorf community is there? Are there a lot of Waldorf related activitities and businesses? What is that area or surrounding areas like to live? We are attracted to rolling farm/rural properties, 5-? acres, an old house but not too far from a town/community. Any help before I make a trip out there would be appreciated.

Thanks!
-David

[Jason_Els]

I'll ask my sister about it tomorrow. Her son attends a Waldorf school right in that area.

[vter]

The Waldorf (sp?) school (K-8) is located just outside Shelburne Village. They do have a website I believe. One of my boss's children goes there and it works for her. Her other child switched schools as as she got older, that learning style wasnt for her. Her child takes the local bus (CCTA) from Burlington to school - apparently there are quite a few kids who do this. As far as I can tell, it has a good reputation.
The Lake Champlain Waldorf High School is located in Charlotte, but will be moving to an unknown location (at this time they are scouting out areas to relocate) in a few years.

[Jason_Els]

Yup, it's the same one. My sister's son attends the preschool and she thinks very highly of it. Her son certainly seems to have a good time.

http://www.lcwaldorf.org/index.html

[summers3d]

I'm very familiar with Waldorf itself. The thing that's great about where we are is the Waldorf community outside of the school. That's kind of what I'm wondering about. Also, just some general info on what the Shelburne area is like.
Thanks,
-David

[vter]

Don't know about a Waldorf "community" per se. It's a small school and the only one in the Burlington area. I can tell you that my boss is one of the few mothers in her daughter's class that works a full time job. My boss said that there are quite a few "young, trust-fund" types who send their children there. I was in the Shelburne Supermarket recently and there were a couple 4th graders in there trying to save the rainforests by having a little bakesale. My bosses daughter made a cute knitted rooster in her handwork class. Thats my extent of knowledge of the Waldorf system LOL! I'm more of a traditional school person myself. But, if Waldorf works for your kids, then that is great!
Shelburne is very nice, what I would consider an upscale suburb of Burlington with "snob" zoning. Big McMansions on big lots. There are some older more traditional neighborhoods as well. Shelburne is very pricy (by Vermont standards). I personally wouldnt live there as it's a little to pretentious for me - again, by Vermont standards LOL. Hinesburg, an abutting community, has a much more agricultural feel too it, but is feeling growth pressure. I really, really like HInesburg. It's a nice community. I do a lot of my errands/business there (I live just south of HInesburg in Addison County). You may also consider Charlotte (again, like Shelburne, very pricy), and Ferrisburgh, which is a little more laid back and a little more "Vermont" IMO. Middlebury is a great town, but you're looking at 45ish minutes to the Waldorf School in good weather.
Check the local papers - www.sevendaysvt.com, www.burlingtonfreepress.com, and www.addisonindependent.com .