Testimonials

We are grateful to have served so many families over the years. It is an honor to be entrusted with your precious children, and we are so appreciative when parents share their impressions of our time together…
"When I told my twelve year old daughter that the Magic Garden Waldorf School was going to reopen she shouted, “Yay! Now my kids can go there!” I had been thinking the same thing. I’m glad my kids loved their experience at the Magic Garden. I think I loved my experiences there as much as they did, or even more.
Each season reminds me of many special times our family spent together at the Magic Garden. In the Fall we lathed apples and churned butter. We watched the captivating performance of the “Hobgoblin and the Farmer” before our candlelit walk through the woods. In the Winter we shared memories from each year of our children’s lives while sharing birthday cake with their friends and teachers. We also celebrated the Spiral of Light at Sterling College.
The Spring would bring the Magic Garden Community back outside with music, singing, the Maypole, and feeding the goats in the bright warm sunlight.
In our family we often remind each other about these important shared experiences from our time at “The Garden”. We still connect with many of our friends and neighbors who are also alumni families. From an academic perspective the Waldorf teaching philosophy is essential for children poised to enter a world of accelerated connectivity and technological ubiquity. I know I have incorporated many lessons I learned from observing Nell and Charlie into my own teaching practice.
I urge you to plan a visit to see the Magic Garden Waldorf School for yourself. You will learn about the “little bridge”, the “cave in the forest” and witness a magical world your children will exuberantly occupy…and maybe you’ll see me up there with my grandkids someday…"
— Joe Speers, father of Ava and Ellia
"When I told my twelve year old daughter that the Magic Garden Waldorf School was going to reopen she shouted, “Yay! Now my kids can go there!” I had been thinking the same thing. I’m glad my kids loved their experience at the Magic Garden. I think I loved my experiences there as much as they did, or even more.
Each season reminds me of many special times our family spent together at the Magic Garden. In the Fall we lathed apples and churned butter. We watched the captivating performance of the “Hobgoblin and the Farmer” before our candlelit walk through the woods. In the Winter we shared memories from each year of our children’s lives while sharing birthday cake with their friends and teachers. We also celebrated the Spiral of Light at Sterling College.
The Spring would bring the Magic Garden Community back outside with music, singing, the Maypole, and feeding the goats in the bright warm sunlight.
In our family we often remind each other about these important shared experiences from our time at “The Garden”. We still connect with many of our friends and neighbors who are also alumni families. From an academic perspective the Waldorf teaching philosophy is essential for children poised to enter a world of accelerated connectivity and technological ubiquity. I know I have incorporated many lessons I learned from observing Nell and Charlie into my own teaching practice.
I urge you to plan a visit to see the Magic Garden Waldorf School for yourself. You will learn about the “little bridge”, the “cave in the forest” and witness a magical world your children will exuberantly occupy…and maybe you’ll see me up there with my grandkids someday…"
— Joe Speers, father of Ava and Ellia

“New baby in tow, I brought my 3 year old, Ida, to the Magic Garden Waldorf School. Dropping her off for the first time, there was an immediate feeling of trust. It smelled good, like rising dough. Ida eagerly found her symbol (a heart), and found her chair at the beautiful round wooden table and sunk her hands into the dough placed in front of her on a little board. Of course, that was for her and that was what she was to do because the teacher sang quietly and shaped her dough and the other little children were shaping theirs with busy hands and eager eyes. And she moved through her day in song and story with the gestures and warm, open hearts of her teachers. Assuming the best in her, finding the gift and potential of every child in that room. A daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythm filled with imagination, freedom, friendship, story and song. Ida needed this place and so did I.”
– Heidi Eames, mother of Ida and Silas
– Heidi Eames, mother of Ida and Silas

“Miss Nell and Mr. Charlie have the gifts of truly understanding children and weaving magic and heart into every experience of the day. Our daughter’s time with the animals, baking bread, making sweet crafts, and drinking in the beauty of the environment will always be with her, enriching her life. We are so grateful for the time she spent in this truly magical place.”
– Ana Capone-Rosberg, mother of Cariah and Lucien
– Ana Capone-Rosberg, mother of Cariah and Lucien

“We are so grateful for the experience our daughters had at the Magic Garden Waldorf School. From the ages of 3 to 5 years of age they were blessed with being nurtured by Nell and Charlie’s love. This was such a very special place to start our children’s school career off with!
Nell and Charlie inspire the spirit of each child, creating a safe and magical space. The rhythm of the daily routine created comfort and purpose for the children.
The beautiful philosophy that directed their teaching worked its way into our home, where the songs kept singing and the honoring of the changing seasons continued to be celebrated.
We are more than excited to once again give our youngest the same magical experience at the Magic Garden Waldorf School!”
– Braelyn and Ryan Gillespie, parents of Ella, Adeline, Greta, and Morrison
Nell and Charlie inspire the spirit of each child, creating a safe and magical space. The rhythm of the daily routine created comfort and purpose for the children.
The beautiful philosophy that directed their teaching worked its way into our home, where the songs kept singing and the honoring of the changing seasons continued to be celebrated.
We are more than excited to once again give our youngest the same magical experience at the Magic Garden Waldorf School!”
– Braelyn and Ryan Gillespie, parents of Ella, Adeline, Greta, and Morrison

“I have two sons, Emanu and Cypress, and when they were very young I thought I could meet all of their needs, so I never even considered preschool. But then the Magic Garden Waldorf School opened and I was convinced to give it a try. Dropping my three year old son Emanu off for the first time was hard. He clung to me and cried, not being used to separation of course. Miss Nell lovingly held him while I pretty much ran away after saying Goodbye, holding back tears. Was I doing the right thing? My entire ride home I was feeling sad for little Emanu and doubting my decision to sign him up for this.
Emanu returned home, full of tales of simple goodness. He was totally happy and content. From that day on he loved his time at Magic Garden. The special bun baking, animal chores, singing, and exploring nature under Miss Nell and Mr Charlie’s sweet care was perfect for my boys. They thrived in these early preschool years and I felt that Miss Nell and Mr Charlie really accepted and celebrated them for the unique spirits they are. I would highly recommend sending children to the Magic Garden…it’s a very special place!”
– Emily Sacco, mother of Emanu and Cypress
Emanu returned home, full of tales of simple goodness. He was totally happy and content. From that day on he loved his time at Magic Garden. The special bun baking, animal chores, singing, and exploring nature under Miss Nell and Mr Charlie’s sweet care was perfect for my boys. They thrived in these early preschool years and I felt that Miss Nell and Mr Charlie really accepted and celebrated them for the unique spirits they are. I would highly recommend sending children to the Magic Garden…it’s a very special place!”
– Emily Sacco, mother of Emanu and Cypress

"When our son Elian turned three we knew we wanted to give him a fun learning experience that didn’t push the regular education but learning through playing and nature based adventures. The Magic Garden Waldorf School was just what he needed. Nell and Charlie let him and the other children free range to interact and discover new things, while guiding them with love and care. To this day he still talks about his days at The Magic Garden Waldorf School. We are blessed for his time there!"
– Kati Furs, Mother of Elian, Harper and Ruben
– Kati Furs, Mother of Elian, Harper and Ruben