August 2025 Newsletter
🌞 Sun Prairie High School 🌾
Sun Prairie High School is proud to announce and welcome our Humanitarian Teacher and Part-Time Administrator Kerstin Keber Smith.
Many of you may have met her as she led an afternoon gathering of 6th-8th grade students in the Spring. Ms. Keber Smith has a B.A. in Theology/Pastoral Ministry and Music Education and an M.A. in Liturgical Studies.
She has been in education since 2000 and has been immersed in Waldorf education since her children began their Waldorf journey almost 12 years ago. She taught at Madison Waldorf School before her family moved to Kansas and has most recently been teaching music and drama at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic School in Tokepa.
She has taught students in a range of ages from middle school to high school. She has attended various Waldorf teacher trainings including through EduCareDo in Australia and has also homeschooled her own children in Waldorf education through the high school years.
She most recently completed the first summer intensive of the Waldorf High School Teacher Training (WHiSTEP) through the Center for Anthroposophy in New Hampshire.
More introductions to come.
Summary
We are busy planning for the Fall of 2026 and the opening of Sun Prairie High School! We remain on track to open in Fall of 2026.
This upcoming fall will be an important time for our school. We expect to select our school location and begin to secure commitments from families for the 2026-2027 school year.
Our next meeting is Sunday Aug 10th, 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
We have a short list of properties we are evaluating
Met with property owners this month for our top locations
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)
Update: Continued ongoing monthly meetings.
Secured commitments from specialties teachers
Connected with leadership and families at City of Fountains (Waldorf inspired KC school)
Hosted an information night at City of Fountains
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.
New: Potential staff member completed High School teacher training at the Center for Anthroposophy
🔄 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
Planning a visit to the Austin Waldorf High School for fall of 2025 for collaboration and learning.
🕒 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 of the Month
Q: Do students need to attend a Waldorf grade school to attend Sun Prairie?
A: No. Students are welcome from all educational backgrounds, including public, private, and homeschool settings.
We do encourage families to become familiar with the Waldorf approach and the unique experience at Sun Prairie High School. Our faculty is happy to guide you in learning more.
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