For College And University Admissions
Click here to download PDF of College Profile
CEEB Code: 060111 K-12: 315 students
College Counselor: Eowyn Ciccone High School: 74 students
E-Mail: eowync@smwaldorf.org
SMWS PROFILE FOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS\
2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR
Shining Mountain Waldorf School is a non-profit, independent, co-educational day school, Kindergarten through Grade 12, founded in 1983. Part of the worldwide Waldorf school movement which is based on the philosophical and educational insights of Rudolph Steiner, Shining Mountain provides a comprehensive education that integrates academics, the arts, and practical studies. The curriculum cultivates independent thinking and imagination and fosters a life-long love of learning. Our goal is to enable students to become balanced, vigorous, life-affirming, and compassionate individuals. 90% of the students attend four-year colleges and universities, and 5% attend two-year colleges.
Accreditation and Affiliations
Shining Mountain is accredited by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America and the Association of Colorado Independent Schools. Our college counselor is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Rocky Mountain ACAC, Association of College Counselors in
Independent Schools (ACCIS), and the Colorado Council for High School and College Relations
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
four years of English
3.25 years of science
(4.25 years of science possible)
four years of mathematics
four years of one foreign language
four years of history
four years of fine and practical arts
four years of performing arts
physical education, dance, eurythmy
Each day begins with a “Morning Lesson,” a one hour and thirty-five minute period which is devoted to intensive, in-depth study of an academic subject over the course of two to four weeks. The Morning Lesson is followed by forty-five minute long track classes meeting two to five times per week, which build skills in math, English, history, science, world languages, choral and instrumental music, practical and fine arts, and physical education.
FACULTY
High School students are taught by 8 full-time and several part-time faculty members. All faculty members have bachelor’s degrees, and many hold master’s or doctoral degrees. Fine arts and professional craftspeople from the community support specialty classes.
EXPLANATION OF CREDITS
Morning Lesson:
- 3-week course equals 2.5 credits
- 3.5-week course equals 3.0 credits
- 4-week course equals 3.3 credits
Note that subjects such as life sciences, physical sciences, physics, and chemistry are given credit for one block each year to total one year of course credit.
Track Classes:
One period 4x/week carries 4.8 semester credits or 9.6 per year. One period 5x/week carries 6.0 credits per semester.
Advanced Placement Classes:
Students do not take AP classes at Shining Mountain.
Pass/Fail Classes:
Pass/Fail courses are designed to be student-centered. The passing standard is high and students establish personal goals to excel.
GRADING
The GPA is computed cumulatively. Grades are not weighted. Shining Mountain does not assign rank to its students.
97 or greater A+ 77 or greater C+
93 or greater A 4.0 73 or greater C 2.0
90 or greater A- 70 or greater C-
87 or greater B+ 67 or greater D+
83 or greater B 3.0 63 or greater D 1.0
80 or greater B- 60 or greater D-
SENIOR PROJECTS
Seniors plan, design, and research a topic of strong personal interest, culminating in a formal presentation to the faculty and school community. Students find a mentor and commit to a minimum of 50 hours of work.