History

Our Story

City of Lakes Waldorf School was founded in 1988 by a group of visionary mothers who dreamed of bringing Waldorf education to urban Minneapolis. With the support of renowned educator Rene Querido, founder of Rudolf Steiner College, they opened the doors of the “Waldorf City School” in 1989.

In the early years, the school grew quickly—adding preschool, kindergarten, and grades—while moving between several rented spaces. In 1993, we adopted the name City of Lakes Waldorf School, and by 1999, we had found our permanent home at 2344 Nicollet Avenue South, in the vibrant Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis.

A Home with History

Our historic building, designed by the Minneapolis architectural firm Magney & Tusler (also known for the Foshay Tower and the downtown Minneapolis Post Office), was constructed in 1922. Originally home to the Hardware Mutual Insurance Company, the building later housed a variety of nonprofits, including the American Refugee Committee, Lavender Magazine, and the Tibetan American Foundation.

In 2000, following renovations led by CLWS alumni parent and architect Tom Meyer of MSR Design, we moved in. Over the years, we have continued to adapt the nearly 50,000-square-foot Beaux Arts building into a vibrant and functional learning environment. Recent restoration efforts include a full tuckpointing and exterior stone repair project to preserve the structure’s beauty for generations to come.

Land Acknowledgment

City of Lakes Waldorf School is located on the ancestral homelands of the Dakota people. We acknowledge the enduring presence and contributions of the Dakota, Ojibwe, and other Indigenous nations, and honor those who have stewarded this land throughout generations.