About Us
Our Beginnings
Founded in 2006, New Amsterdam School began as a grassroots alliance of educators, parents, and community leaders determined to bring the benefits of Waldorf education to Lower Manhattan. A tranquil oasis in the East Village, NAS offers a warm, home-like learning environment with programs for children 12 months - 6 years old. The New Amsterdam community embraces diversity, fosters inclusivity, and honors the uniqueness of each child.
New Amsterdam School embodies an innovative spirit of Waldorf Education. As a member of WECAN (the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America), NAS is part of the well-established Waldorf movement that today includes over 1000 schools and 1600 early childhood programs in 58 countries. Waldorf education is proudly known as the fastest-growing independent school movement in the world.
Our Programs
Our modern, innovative approach to Waldorf education inspires reverence for the natural world, for one’s self, and for others, while building foundational practical, social, and cognitive skills. In our Early Childhood program, children thrive in self-directed play, music, games, baking, painting, and abundant time in nature. They freely explore the world around them, developing fine and gross motor skills, social skills, and self-knowledge that lay the groundwork for future social and academic success.
Our Community
As a close-knit community, New Amsterdam attracts faculty and families who are committed to the shared values of respect, empathy, kindness, and collaboration. Parents give generously of their time and talents, working together to co-create the life of the school in partnership with teachers and staff. The community comes together through an array of opportunities, including parent education evenings, community art events, and celebrations of seasonal festivals such as the Spiral of Light in December and the Spring Festival in May.
True to its mission, New Amsterdam supports the unfolding of each individual’s authentic self—child and adult—and aspires to awaken children, teachers, and parents to the present and future needs of the world.
In the Words of New Amsterdam Parents
“New Amsterdam School has been a true haven for our two daughters for the past 7 years. The utmost care, warmth, thoughtfulness, and dedication of the teachers can’t be overstated.”
“The curriculum includes plenty of outside time in a gorgeous huge community garden, as well as innovative ways of teaching. The class groups are small so that each child receives careful attention and the curriculum can easily be adjusted to meet every child’s needs. The premises are beautiful, with all-natural materials for kindergarten toys and school furniture, inviting the children into a home like atmosphere. The school is a true gem!"
“We love how the teachers' approach to teaching revolves around the children's developmental level and learning styles, art is interwoven into the curriculum, and the children spend time outdoors in nature every day. As parents, we love being part of this supportive community where parents are involved and teachers and staff respect and care for each other and love what they do."
“New Amsterdam is more than a Waldorf Education for our family. It has given us community, friendship, and support that we value just as much as the education. It has fostered friendship and trust between, not just our family and the New Amsterdam School faculty, who are equally incredible, but amongst the children, families and community. We continue to be a grateful member of this flowering community."
"Our son is in the mixed aged kindergarten program (ages 3-6), which is almost entirely outdoors in the Garden. We have come to love the school, which has a Waldorf philosophy, but is a younger, lighter, more diverse and open-minded version of this pedagogy, with teachers and a school ethos that is determined to be responsive to families’ needs and to be representative par of the lower Manhattan community.”
