A K-8 public school that educates not just the head, but also the heart and hands, Birchtree Charter School in Palmer offers Waldorf-inspired education through the use of the Whole Child Curriculum. The school provides a learning environment with standards-based education through the use of music, art, movement, and foreign languages to enhance the study of reading and writing, science, mathematics and history.

Birchtree Charter School is the fruition of a dedicated movement by four families with a mutual interest in Waldorf education, to help children develop not just academically but also emotionally, socially and physically. The Birchtree Parent Guild was formed in 2008 to establish a K-8 charter school. Seven members who separated from the guild, got the Charter and formed the School. Enrollment in the first year was 220 students.

At Birchtree, student assessment is done by rubrics specifically designed for Waldorf-based programs, and this gives teachers an understanding of the learning growth of each student. The teachers here also “loop” with the students from the first grade to fifth and a new teacher from sixth to eighth grade. This makes it easier for students to interact with their teachers without having to face a change in teacher at every level.

During the current academic year, Birchtree has started offering a wide variety of extracurricular activities. The beautiful 14-acre location of the school gives students ample opportunity to be exposed to the natural world every single day. While the current enrollment is 290, there is a big waiting list that awaits admission into this fast-growing school.

7107 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy.
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone: 907-355-0490

[google-map-sc address=”Birchtree Charter School, 7107 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy., Palmer, AK 99645″]