History of Aurora Waldorf School In May of 1987, the first activity that would result in the formation of Aurora Waldorf School took place: A Waldorf Kindergarten teacher published an article on Waldorf education in the local newspaper. A small group of parents began to study together the philosophy of this innovative way of teaching, and in the spring of 1990, formed the Waldorf School Initiative of Western New York. Enthusiasm for this new school initiative grew quickly, invigorated by visiting master teachers from all over North America, experts in the field of Waldorf education. Just one year later, on the top floor of a rented church school building in Orchard Park, 14 Kindergartners, 12 Grade One students, and their teachers, celebrated the grand opening of Aurora Waldorf School on September 4, 1991. During the summer months of 1992, a new site for the school became available in the West Falls Elementary School building, our current location. Amid rolling hills, woods and open fields, with large sunlit classrooms, a gym and auditorium, the site satisfied virtually all of the school's needs, and the decision was made to move to this new location. Today Aurora Waldorf School has more than 200 students (Parent and Toddler, Nursery School, Kindergarten, Elementary & Middle School), and a faculty of approximately thirty dedicated teachers. Along with a committed Board of Trustees, there are active parents and friends who support the school with fund raising activities as well as other educational and social events for school families and members of the broader community. Aurora Waldorf School is one of the more than 100 schools in North America founded on the educational indications of Rudolf Steiner. Dr. Steiner (1865-1925) was an international figure who inspired new directions for the social, cultural, and spiritual life of humanity. He was an educator, scientist, artist, and thinker of extraordinary dimension. His worldview, which finds practical application in Waldorf education, not only stresses social responsibility and respect for others, but also fosters inner development and individual freedom. To learn more about the Waldorf education movement, click on the link below to open the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America website in a separate browser window: www.awsna.org