Waldorf School of Atlanta Celebrates 40 Years of Creativity, Connection and Hands-On Learning

Oct 12

Written by Mae

Decatur School Marks Milestone Anniversary With Community-Wide Holiday Fair, Appointment of Permanent Executive Director, and a Continued Commitment To Child-Centered Education

ATLANTA, GA — October 7, 2026 — As families across the country grapple with questions about screen time, artificial intelligence, attention, mental health, and how children learn and thrive in an increasingly digital world, the Waldorf School of Atlanta is celebrating a milestone rooted in a different vision of childhood: 40 years of educating the whole child through hands-on learning, creativity, movement, meaningful relationships, and a strong academic foundation.

Founded in 1986, Waldorf School of Atlanta has spent four decades offering an educational approach that looks beyond what children need to know and asks how they learn best at each stage of development. The school serves children from age 2 through eighth grade and is part of the worldwide Waldorf education movement, founded in 1919 and now represented by more than 1,000 schools around the globe.

Unlike many traditional independent schools, Waldorf education is intentionally developmental and experiential. Students learn through direct experience and engagement with the world around them, with academics woven together with art, music, movement, practical work, storytelling, and social-emotional development. Technology is introduced thoughtfully and developmentally rather than serving as the primary vehicle for learning in the early years.

“At a moment when many families are asking how to help children thrive in an increasingly digital world, Waldorf education offers something both timeless and deeply relevant,” said Roslyn Benjamin, Executive Director of Waldorf School of Atlanta. “For 40 years, we’ve created space for children to learn through hands-on experiences, creativity, movement, and meaningful relationships. This anniversary is a celebration of the community that has made that work possible and the generations of students who have benefited from it.”

The anniversary year also coincides with an important leadership milestone for the school. Following a national search process, the Board of Trustees selected Roslyn Benjamin as Executive Director after she joined the school in 2026 in an interim capacity. Benjamin brings more than three decades of experience in independent and progressive school leadership, including serving as Head of School at The Children’s School in Atlanta and leadership positions at respected independent schools in San Francisco. Her appointment provides continuity as the school enters its fifth decade and advances priorities including enrollment growth, philanthropy, community engagement, and long-term campus planning.

The school's approach is grounded in the belief that childhood is not simply preparation for the next academic milestone. Children need time to develop curiosity, imagination, resilience, social skills, and the ability to think independently—alongside the knowledge and skills they need to succeed academically.

That philosophy has remained consistent even as the world around children has changed dramatically.

Over the past 40 years, Waldorf School of Atlanta has served thousands of students and families and has become a multigenerational community, with alumni returning to the school as parents and families remaining connected long after their children graduate. The school continues to contribute to the broader Atlanta community through educational programming, community events, and a commitment to fostering engaged, compassionate citizens.

“As we celebrate 40 years of Waldorf education in Atlanta, we're also looking ahead to the next 40,” said John Ghose, President of the WSA Board of Trustees. “Roz has quickly earned the trust of our community through her thoughtful leadership, deep commitment to children, and ability to bring people together around a shared vision. We are thrilled she will help lead WSA into its next chapter.”

The school will celebrate its 40th anniversary throughout the 2026-27 school year, including its beloved Holiday Fair on November 7, 2026. The free community event welcomes families from across metro Atlanta for artisan vendors, live music, children's activities, food, a bake shop, puppet shows, and the popular Enchantment Shop, where children can independently select and purchase gifts for family and friends. Additional anniversary celebrations, including a 40th Anniversary Gala in spring 2027, will bring together alumni, current and former families, faculty, staff, and friends of the school.

For Waldorf School of Atlanta, the anniversary is both a celebration of its history and an opportunity to consider the future of childhood and education.

“In 1986, our founders could not have imagined many of the challenges facing children today,” Benjamin said. “But they understood something that remains just as important: children need opportunities to move, create, wonder, connect, and experience the world firsthand. Forty years later, we’re proud to continue that work in Atlanta.”

About Waldorf School of Atlanta

Founded in 1986, Waldorf School of Atlanta is an independent school serving children ages 2 through eighth grade. Located on a wooded campus in Decatur, Georgia, the school provides a rigorous, developmentally appropriate education that integrates academic learning with the arts, movement, practical work, and social-emotional development. Through its “head, heart, and hands” approach, Waldorf School of Atlanta seeks to develop students who think with clarity, feel with compassion, and act with purpose in the world.

For more information, visit WaldorfAtlanta.org.