May 2025 Newsletter
🌞 Sun Prairie High School 🌾
Summary
We continue to make progress on our path towards opening Sun Prairie High School in Lawrence. We remain on track to open in Fall of 2026. Here is a summary of the major milestones we have already completed and are currently working on.
As we work on further understanding our student base for the 2026 school year and beyond, members of the planning committee will be reaching out to families to understand interest and answer additional questions.
Our next meeting is Sunday May 11th, 10 am at the Lawrence Public Library, downstairs. If you are curious about our progress or want to join the efforts, please just show up. We welcome all levels of involvement. Our big projects continue to be fundraising, faculty search, location search, and more.
We would love to hear from you, you can reach out at admin@sunprairiehighschool.org or follow us at SunPrairieHighSchool.com.
✅ Completed
Built an online presence at SunPrairieHighSchool.com (SPHS)
Secured several recurring donations to SPHS
Founded initial school planning board
Created campus criteria and an ongoing search process
New: Update: We have a short list of properties we are evaluating
Secured 2 experienced advisors / mentors
Karl Johnson MA - Mountain Song Director of Pedagogy & Teacher Trainer Gradalis Institute
David Barham - Executive Director - Center for Anthroposophy (CfA) & Director - Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program (WHiSTEP)
Secured commitments from specialties teachers
Connected with leadership and families at City of Fountains (Waldorf inspired KC school)
New: Hosted an information night at City of Fountains
New: We completed our first teacher interviews and are nearing the first faculty hire for SPHS
This included a gathering with several students and families from Prairie Moon and interested homeschoolers.
🔄 In Progress
Actively interviewing teachers for primary subjects
Continuing to evaluate campus sites
Started the specialties planning committee to build a full specialties program
Registering SPHS as a 501(c)(3)
Expanding SPHS donation base and funding
🕒 Next Steps
Announce the location by Fall 2025
Announce teacher hires and introduce them to the community
Build strategic partnerships area community groups and schools
Host a gathering for interested families
FAQ
Q: How will Sun Prairie High School support athletics and activities?
A: There will be some cases where SPHS is uniquely positioned to provide the activity and others where using existing resources from the community works best.
For any sport or activity sponsored by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (kshsaa.org), students can participate at their local public high school.
That means a student could play on the soccer team or be part of the debate program at whichever public school they align to.
A simple process was standardized by KSHSAA a few years back and we have community members who have already gone through the process with their children. As a community, we can share the details on how to navigate the process.
We will evaluate interest from our student body and determine which areas we can/should support directly and where we should build partnerships with existing resources in the community.
Stay in Touch & Get Involved
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans. That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
-William H. Murray
January 2025 NEWSLETTER Sun Prairie High School
Sun Prairie High School is set to begin Fall 2026 with a 9th grade class.
580 days away!
Example of a Waldorf High School Biology Sketch
2025 is already here and we are ready for it. A lot of exciting steps will be happening this year.
Early in the year we will be launching an organized fundraising campaign focusing on recurring giving. We feel this will be one or the foundations for the best probability of ongoing financial stability.
We also are currently gathering our faculty and advisory teams and will be announcing some additions over the first few months of the year and more as we get closer to Fall 2026.
Likely by mid year, we will be securing and announcing the location of the school. The facilities committee has several leads on location and are working diligently to find the best for our needs.
We are all excited for 2025 as the plans and work we have accomplished are really starting to show a nice acceleration and increasing support from all over the nation.
Are you interested in getting involved?
Our big projects continuing this winter and spring will be fundraising, faculty search, location search, and more. Contact admin@sunprairiehigschool.org with questions.
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Our next meeting is Sunday February 9th, 10 am at the Lawrence Public Library, downstairs. If you are curious about our progress or want to join the efforts, please just show up. We welcome all levels of involvement. Our big projects continuing this winter and spring will be fundraising, faculty search, location search, and more.
Contact admin@sunprairiehigschool.org with questions.
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Book Study: Meeting members are reading “Genesis of Waldorf High School” in chapters. An informative account of what others have considered when starting their own Waldorf high school initiatives. Before our February 9th meeting we are reading “Part One: Four Essays on Adolescence and the Waldorf High School.” We’d love for you to join us. But it is not necessary to do the readings in order to participate in the meetings. You can find a digital copy HERE
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Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans. That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
-William H. Murray
And if you are able, please consider a one time or recurring donation – any amount is appreciated.
December 2024 Newsletter
Sun Prairie High School
December 2024 Newsletter
Sun Prairie High School is set to begin August 2026 with a 9th grade class.
615 days away!
Save the date!
Our next meeting is Sunday January 12th, 10 am till noon at the Lawrence Public Library.
This first meeting of 2025 will be a NEW MEMBERS MEETING, with light snacks, coffee and tea. There will be a review of where the initiative has been over the past year and plans for the new year will be shared.
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Fall 2024 recap of our recent projects:
-completing and registering our 501(c)(3) non profit status
- building a website with the ability to accept donations www.sunprairiehighschool.org
- hosting an informational meeting on the Waldorf high school experience with master Waldor mentor, Karl Johnson
- scouting and viewing potential locations
- researching and connecting with established Waldorf High Schools and teachers across the country
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Are you interested in getting involved?
Our big projects continuing this winter and spring will be fundraising, faculty search, location search, and more. Contact admin@sunprairiehigschool.org with questions.
Come to our January New Member Meeting to find out more! Sunday January 12th, 10 am - noon, Lawrence Public Library, downstairs meeting room.
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