| Like any great creative endeavor, Shining Mountain Waldorf School is a living, breathing work in progress. Born in 1983 out of the unshakable vision and tenacious spirit of a handful of Boulder parents, Shining Mountain now has a solid foundation.
In 1983, Shining Mountain welcomed 80 students in preschool through fourth grade in the basement of a church and a former daycare center. Within three years and untold hours of commitment, hard work and cooperation among Board members, faculty, administration, and parents, Shining Mountain purchased and began developing the main school campus in North Boulder that is currently home to the lower and middle school.
In 1991, with the generous financial support of the Shining Mountain community and the able leadership of the Board of Trustees, the school purchased the adjacent high school campus and welcomed its first ninth grade class. Shining Mountain distinguished itself as the fastest-growing Kindergarten – Grade 12 Waldorf school in North America.
In 1995, the school added two modular buildings – one to house the High School science lab and multi-use room and another to provide classrooms for eurythmy and chorus.
In 1996, Shining Mountain celebrated the graduation of its first twelfth grade class with 24 students. Since then, eight classes of twelfth graders have graduated as of 2004.
In 1998, after seven years of fundraising, the school completed Phase I of its Festival Hall for Arts and Athletics, a vital piece of the Shining Mountain Master Plan. The beautiful structure doubles as a performing arts space and as a gymnasium for competitive sports and physical education classes. Phase II, not yet begun, expands the vision with a full performing arts center, costume storage, and additional classrooms.
In 2001, the school purchased a nearby house to provide additional space for High School practical arts and classes. The beauty of the 8.5-acre campus continues to be a delight as trees mature and floral beds expand. A Gardening Circle oversees the biodynamic garden, and plans are underway to embellish the campus with additional plantings.
In 2004, after a three-year self-study culminating in on-site visits by accreditation teams, Shining Mountain was granted full accreditation by the Association of Colorado Independent Schools and the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America. Now 315 students strong, the school moves forward into the future with a Strategic Plan in place and community determination to see it through.
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