Waldorf education is a unique and distinctive approach to educating children that is practiced in Waldorf (and Steiner) schools worldwide.  The goal of Waldorf education is: "to produce individuals who are able, in and of themselves, to impart meaning to their lives (Rudolf Steiner)".

Waldorf schooling aims to educate the whole child, "head, heart and hands". The curriculum is broad and balances academic subjects with artistic and practical activities.  Waldorf teachers are dedicated to instilling a genuine love of learning within each child. By freely using arts and activities in the service of teaching academics, an internal motivation to learn is developed in the students. 

Some distinctive features of Waldorf education include the following:-

• The Nursery School cultivates pre-academic skills - gross and fine motor skills, socialization and concentration.  Children are allowed to focus on playing – play being the ‘work’ of the young child.
• Pupils are introduced to letters and numbers through form drawing in Class 1. This leads to learning to write by Class 2 and then read in Class 3.  Subjects are introduced in an imaginative and artistic way to all classes throughout Primary School.
• In the Primary School a class teacher takes his/her class from grade 1 to 8.  This enables the teacher to develop real insight into the nature of each child.  In the High School each class has a Guardian who guides the students through the High School, monitoring their progress and offering advice.
• Practical experiences are essential to the curriculum. Subjects such as handwork, woodwork and metalwork are taught to all pupils.
• The curriculum is organized around the Main Lesson, which is the first lesson of the day and lasts approximately two hours. For every main lesson subject, each pupil creates a Main Lesson Book, which is a carefully composed and illustrated compilation of the classroom experience. 
• Learning in a Waldorf school is a non-competitive activity.  The Class Teacher writes a detailed evaluation of the child at the end of each school year.  In the Upper Primary and High Schools, pupils complete weekly tests to assess their comprehension of each lesson and their progress.  High School students write the exams set by the Independent Examinations Board.
• The use of electronic media, particularly television, by young children is strongly discouraged in Waldorf schools.  Information technology is taught in the High School.

The Waldorf curriculum covers all subjects required by the Department of Education (including the subjects written as part of the GETC exams):

• Mathematics
• Music - practical techniques
• English Language
• Computer Science
• History - South African History, world history
• Geography
• Art – theory and practical techniques
• History of Art - including, prehistoric art, dance, architecture, music
• IsiZulu
• Afrikaans
• Biology - botany and zoology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Business Economics 

Over and above these subjects and disciplines, Michael Mount pupils are given a firm grounding in the following:

• Social studies - to enable our children to see themselves within the context of society.
• Form Drawing – this art form helps young children to learn to write, older students learn precision and develop a fine eye for design.
• Crafts, woodwork and metalwork – and integral part of the curriculum, handwork enables children to explore their abilities to create objects in wood, metal and wool with their own hands.
• Eurythmy - a performance art developed by Rudolf Steiner.  It seeks to makes sounds visible by matching movement to each letter, note or number.  Eurythmy enhances coordination, sensitivity to sound and music and a child’s spatial response to its social surroundings.

Through age-appropriate sporting and extra-mural activities, children find true balance.  Michael Mount offers a comprehensive range of interesting and exciting programmes:

Basketball
This is a very popular sport in our School.  We offer novice ball skills to children in Classes 1, 2 and 3 and we begin full basketball training from Class 4 onwards.  Our junior and senior teams are dedicated ballplayers and enjoy all the games they play.

Cricket
Our Ter Horst and Commonwealth cricket teams have performed admirably in their leagues in the last few years. The teams are made up of hugely enthusiastic students from Class 4 upward.  In 2004 we launched the mini-cricket program that enables the Class 2 and 3 children to learn basic cricket skills.  Our Upper Primary and High School students took the initiative and formed their own team this year.

Climbing
Our climbing team is made up of talented students from all Classes in the School.  They have won numerous awards and competitions.  The older climbers coach the up and coming climbers from lower grades.  These same High School students regularly compete in the adult categories at climbing competition.

Soccer
Our soccer programme started at the beginning of 2004 and has quickly grown in popularity.  Boys and girls from Class 4 onwards play during the winter months

Swimming
A much enjoyed sport in the summer months, swimming is open to all children in the school, from Nursery School to Matric.  Towards the end of the 1^st Term, we hold a Primary School Swimming Gala and the whole school turns out to cheer.

In addition to the above, our children also enjoy playing softball, netball, tennis, hockey, athletics and touch rugby.

Chess Our thriving chess club is open to pupils from all classes.  Children are matched by ability and enjoy moving up the grades as their skill increases.

Drama Drama is enjoyed by children from Class 1 through to High School.  Two of our past-pupils who are now theatre professionals - an actor and director - bring tremendous creativity and practical skill to the drama groups.  The children respond readily as this wonderful subject lives in their imaginations.

A scene from Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra performed by students in Class 11

A scene from Murder in the Cathedral performed by Class 8 students

Class 2 children perform in a play celebrating Michaelmas