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FAQs

For questions specific to Waldorf Education, please read the FAQs section on the website Why Waldorf Works.

How many grades will Birchtree include this year?

Birchtree is a K-8 school.

What will the daily school hours be?

Our days begin at 8:30am and end at 3:00 pm. Drop off time will begin at 8:20am. Students can be picked up in the classroom at 3:00 pm  or outside from 3:05pm to 3:15 pm.

Kindergarten hours are from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday and 2 :00 pm (extended day) on Thursdays.  Parents will come in to the building to pick up their students at 3:00 pm.  On Thursdays students may be picked up at 2:00 pm outside on the west side of the building.

How long is the kindergarten day?

Kindergarten is a four-hour day Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday ( 8:30 am – 12:30 pm).
Thursdays are an extended day until 2:00 PM .

Will any bus transportation be available for students?

Birchtree offers limited bus to and from a few select locations. If you are interested in having your student ride the bus, you must fill out the 2018 Bus Permission Slip and turn it in to the office.

Morning bus route:

  • Departs Wasilla Target (near Walgreens) at 7:25am
  • Departs Palmer Library at 7:46am
  • Arrives at Birchtree at 8:05 AM

Afternoon route:

  • Departs Birchtree Charter School at 3:15
  • Arrives at Wasilla Target (near Walgreens)at 3:25 pm
  • Arrives at MTA Sports Center at 3:35pm
  • Arrives at Palmer Library at 3:50 pm

Early Release Thursdays:

  • Departs Birchtree Charter School at 2:15 pm
  • Arrives at Wasilla Target (near Walgreens)at 2:25 pm
  • Arrives at MTA Sports Center at 2:35 pm
  • Arrives at Palmer Library at 2:50 pm

 

Can Kindergarten Students ride the bus?
Kindergarteners can ride the bus to school Monday-Friday. Only on early release Thursdays kindergartners can ride the bus from school to one of the designated drop off locations.

Will there be a hot lunch program?

Students will need to bring their own cold lunch and a healthy snack. There are no microwaves available for student use.

Will extracurricular activities be offered?

We are excited to offer a wide variety of extracurricular activites. Please see the extracurricular page on our website.

Will childcare be available before and after school?

We do not offer before and after school care.

Will teachers follow a class through multiple grades?

Birchtree teachers will “loop” with their students from Grade One through Grade Five. Students will have a different teacher starting in sixth grade who will loop with the students through eight grade.

What school supplies will my child need?

Supplies used in Waldorf schools are quality supplies that can last children many years.  These are specialty items that must be ordered.  We order these supplies in bulk over the summer. Student fees are collected per student each year.

Does the school have a dress code?

Because Waldorf-inspired education aims to create an educational environment free from distractions from the media, we recommend that student attire be free of large logos or cartoon characters.  More details regarding student dress is outlined in the Birchtree Family Guide.

Where can I get details about Birchtree’s curriculum?

Please see our curriculum page.

What is the school’s philosophy on homework?

Typically, students begin getting weekly homework in Grade Four, an age where most children are able to take full responsibility for their work.  Homework will then gradually increase in frequency and amount in subsequent years.

How do you incorporate nature/outdoors into the school day?

The curriculum exposes students to the natural world every day.  Our 14-acre location will also offer ample opportunity for students to connect with nature!

If my child seems more advanced in reading and writing than her peers, will the school consider moving her up a grade?

Because Waldorf-inspired curriculum is based upon the developmental stages of each age group, academically advanced students typically remain with their peers.  The curriculum, however, offers opportunities for students to receive extra academic challenges as needed.

What types of opportunities will there be to volunteer and how many hours are we expected to give?

Opportunities for volunteering will be advertised each week in the Friday Update.  To learn about opportunities to volunteer in the classroom, you can communicate with the classroom lead volunteer.

How will discipline be handled for typical mild-moderate situations that may arise?

Most discipline issues will be handled by individual teachers, who will communicate directly with parents.  The school assistant principal and/or principal will assist when needed.

What types of assessments will Birchtree be using?

As a public school in the state of Alaska, Birchtree is required to conduct all State-mandated tests.  These include the Alaska Measures of Progress (AMPs) given annually to students in Grades 3 – 8,  and MAP testing for Grades 5-8.  Additionally, Birchtree will be using assessment rubrics designed specifically for Waldorf-based programs.  These rubrics will assist teachers in assessing the learning growth of their students and will be shared with parents during parent/teacher conferences.