Our Story
The School of the Beartooths was founded by a group of parents and other community members in 2004 as an educational alternative for families in Red Lodge and the surrounding area. We share a common vision of providing an intentional educational environment that supports the physical, spiritual, social and intellectual growth and development of children.

Our mission at the School of the Beartooths has been to make Waldorf education available in Red Lodge and, as importantly, accessible to all families interested in the Waldorf philosophy regardless of financial means. We celebrate the fact that our School has generated awareness, interest and appreciation of this method of education to a level that didn't exist before in this region. The School provided a mixed-age Preschool/Kindergarten for the 06/07 School year, and added a First Grade for the 07/08 school year.

Throughout the 07/08 school year, parents, Board members and other stakeholders have held a series of meetings to discuss the School’s future. As a result of these meetings, we have decided the School should take a different form for the upcoming 08/09 school year than it has for the past two years. Our intention is to focus on the elements which we decided as a community are the most essential; strengthening families, building a sense of community, and educating children in a developmentally appropriate and nurturing way.

2008-2009 Plans:
What does this mean for the near future? At this time, it means we will not be renting a facility or hiring a full-time teacher for the next academic year. We are, however, planning to develop a cooperative homeschool model to follow for the 08/09 school year, and to continue building our vibrant community through festivals, handwork classes and gatherings, a monthly Waldorf discussion group, and other events. The School’s website will remain vital as will our newsletter.

As for future school years, the possibilities are endless! Our school community is a vital and growing part of the Red Lodge community. We invite anyone interested in Waldorf education to join us and to help shape the upcoming year and beyond. We believe that by working together and learning together our families will be strengthened and our children will thrive.