Campaign for a Permanent Home

When the Cape Ann Waldorf School (CAWS) was founded in 1986 with a class of 17 children, it was through a shared belief that engaging children through direct experience, creativity, and imagination is the basis for active, lifelong learning. Our small community embraced the Waldorf philosophy that education should respect and nurture children throughout the natural stages of their development. And over the past 23 years, CAWS has excelled at guiding children to become confident learners who flourish intellectually, socially and emotionally.

It has always been the dream of our community to own our own home. CAWS now reached a point where we can make that dream a reality: our current lease is due to expire, the softening of the real estate market has made property more affordable, and our administrative and financial practices are on solid footing. To do so would allow us to better serve the community, enhance programs, and to grow our enrollment.

It is time for CAWS to have a permanent home.

The Opportunity

After years of diligent search, the Cape Ann Waldorf School now has an opportunity to purchase a property that reflects the vision of our founders and the core of our curriculum.

The site is a 9-acre parcel located at historic Moraine Farm in Beverly. The setting is idyllic, encompassing 200 acres of rolling woodlands and open meadows situated on the west shore of Wenham Lake. The beautiful grounds, studded with mature rhododendron and azaleas, were originally designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. This parcel, like all of Moraine Farm, is subject to a Conservation Restriction, which means this pastoral setting will be forever protected from unwanted development.

The building currently on this site was constructed in 2002. It is in excellent physical condition, with good natural light and a clean, uncluttered design. As the school grows, so will our facilities. Expansion is planned in three distinct phases. Phase 1 will entail the purchase and renovation of the existing building for occupancy at some point during the 2010-2011 school year. Phase 2 will add a two-story wing to the building, allowing for additional classrooms and programs. The final Phase 3 will include the construction of a free-standing community building, which we envision housing a gymnasium, public performance space, workshop and other school-wide amenities.

Community Partnerships

Our new site at Moraine Farm will offer exciting opportunities for partnership and service to the wider community through collaboration with our new neighbors, Project Adventure and The Trustees of Reservations. Both of these non-profit organizations have a mission that is closely aligned with ours, and each will be a long-term partner in the stewardship of Moraine Farm.

Project Adventure works with schools and businesses, offering year-round experiential education programs that emphasize group-building techniques. Its programs are designed to foster many of the same attributes we instill in our students: personal and group responsibility; self-discovery and relationship building; communication and collaboration; problem solving; and respect for oneself and others.

The Trustees of Reservations is one of the oldest and most respected land trusts in the country. It owns and manages more than 100 special places throughout Massachusetts. The Trustees are currently working to acquire a key part of Moraine Farm's agricultural land and planning to establish a Community Supported Agriculture program at this location within three years.

From its inception, the Cape Ann Waldorf School has embraced the value of serving the communities outside our walls. Our new site, and the partnerships with our new neighbors, will allow us to expand the community service aspect of our school, enhancing our offerings of adult education, professional development, lectures, workshops, and activities for children, which can extend over the summer months.

The Campaign & How You Can Help

A multi-year capital campaign is underway to raise funds for our new school; the campaign is expected to extend over 3 to 5 years. The three phases of the capital campaign will parallel the three phases of our growth at Moraine Farm. The estimated total funds to be raised is $3-4M.

The Board of Trustees is firmly committed to moving forward to acquire a permanent home for the Cape Ann Waldorf School. Therefore, our immediate (Phase I) goal is to raise at least $1M by August 1, 2010 to enable the purchase of Moraine Farm and to finance the renovations required to make a commercial space suitable for educational use.

Reaching this goal will require the financial generosity of the greater CAWS community: current friends and families, alumni students and parents, local businesses and organizations, and educational and cultural philanthropists.

Gifts of cash and securities are gratefully received. Three easy ways to give are:

• Visit our Capital Campaign donation site to give online
• Mail a check made (payable to "CAWS", please write  "Capital Campaign" on the memo line) or a credit card form to:
  Lauren White
  Business Manager
  Cape Ann Waldorf School
  668 Hale Street
  Beverly Farms, MA 01915
• Call the CAWS office at to use a credit card over the phone

CAWS is a non-profit organization, and all gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our capital campaign offers many commemorative gift opportunities to honor the donor or the donor's family, friends or business associates.

We thank you so much for your support and enthusiasm.
Together, we can realize a new future for the Cape Ann Waldorf School!