Guide to the Waldorf School of the Finger Lakes Records,
1979-2000

The Waldorf School of the Finger Lakes formally began in the 1982-83 school year. Ann Smith, an experienced Waldorf teacher from England guided the school into existence. The first classes were held in the old West Hill school building. During the second year, the WSOFL moved to a wing of the Community Services Building, and a first grade class was added to the 2-3 and 4-5 classes and kindergarten. In 1984-85 the school moved to more spacious quarters in a public school building in the Danby area. The school added grades over the years. In 1989, the school graduated its first class of eighth grade students and received its charter by New York State.

The collection contains minutes of the Board and their correspondence, records of the Care, Development, Coordinating, Finance and Site Committees, information about annual budgets and finance, operational records, personnel and student files, and newsletters. It is not a comprehensive collection since record-keeping and maintenance were not always undertaken systematically. Evidence of daily life at the school can be found in the student files, and in folders documenting publicity and promotion, special events and the after school program. Information about the growth and development of the school as well as its eventual financial difficulties and closing will assist researchers charting the history of the school.