Waldorf education aims to develop intellectual, artistic, manual and social skills on an equal footing. The so-called epoch lessons, in which the more cognitive subjects are taught for 3-4 weeks at a time, enable more intensive contact with the subject matter. Foreign language lessons in English and Russian begin in Year 1. An artistic approach permeates all lessons. This also includes the encouragement and education of productive independent activity in all subjects. Passive or media-based reception of learning content is kept to a minimum. Various work placements in the upper school establish a connection to the world of work.

The Freie Waldorfschule Dresden is a state-approved independent school. In addition to the Waldorf diploma in Year 12, pupils can take all state diplomas as part of an external examination (in our school with the same requirements as all Saxon pupils). This is regulated in the Waldorf School Examination Regulations. The Hauptschulabschluss is generally taken after year 11, the Realschulabschluss after year 12 and the Abitur (for those who are admitted) in year 13.

The results (e.g. Landeshauptstadt Dresden (2014): 2nd Dresden Education Report, central results, Figure Z5) show that we more than stand up to comparison with public schools.

Lisa Albrecht, born in 1996, graduated from the Freie Waldorfschule Dresden in 2015. Years later, the author meets her former classmates. She wants to know what their path from school to life was like.

Number of students: 772 in the 2026–2027 school year

Classes: 25 classes—Grades 1–12 each with two sections (A/B), Grade 13 (Abitur)

Degrees: Abitur, Realschulabschluss, (qualifying) Hauptschulabschluss, Waldorf diploma after 12th grade

After-school care: Grades 1–4 (until 5:00 p.m.)

Languages: English and Russian starting in Grade 1

Internships: Forestry internship (Grade 8), agriculture internship (Grade 9), surveying internship (Grade 10), industrial and social internship (Grade 11), art field trip (Grade 12)

Arts and Crafts Classes: Handicrafts, blacksmithing, basket weaving, bookbinding, woodcarving, woodworking, copper embossing, tailoring, drawing, painting, sculpting

Additional Courses: Middle and Upper School Orchestra, Choir, Big Band, Theater Projects, Eurythmy, Horticulture, Computer Science, Year-Long Projects in 8th and 12th Grade

Remedial Instruction: Extra classes, music therapy, therapeutic eurythmy

Student involvement: Student Council, Parent-Teacher Council

Events: Student performances, St. Martin’s Bazaar, Christmas plays, spring and fall concerts by the orchestras and choirs, information evenings

Afternoon and Full-Day Programs: Circus, basketball/ball sports, cooking/baking, Spanish, integration for students new to the school (Russian, German as a second language), math tutoring, learning strategies, choir, orchestra, big band, training for student mediators, training for school first aiders, “An Instrument for Every Child” (string instrument lessons in 2nd grade), media education and addiction prevention programs offered by and in collaboration with external partners
; also: school library

Interested providers should contact the GTA coordinator: gta@waldorfschule-dresden.de