At the Charlottesville Waldorf School, the students’ academic journey begins with First Grade: The Bridge into Academics and builds through the grades with a curriculum based in a holistic and meticulous understanding of child development. The daily rhythm will continue in much the same fashion through the grade school years: each day begins with morning Main Lesson, an extended class period dedicated to a rotating schedule of language arts, mathematics, history, and sciences. During each Main Lesson block (a period of study usually about 4 weeks long), students create their own handwritten and illustrated comprehensive studies of the topic – their Main Lesson books. The day continues with specialty classes, additional periods for ongoing Language Arts, Math, Music, Art, and other classes, and plenty of less structured time outdoors. The Early Grades at the Waldorf School gives children a safe and encouraging space to embark on their educational journey and discover their love of learning.