Acorn School Relief Fund

Why we're asking for your help

Children across the globe are suffering the absence of their schools, teachers, and classmates. They are missing the daily connection to some of the most important people in their lives and experiencing real loss and grief. The effects of this pandemic are being felt in every city, town, and street in America. The Acorn School of Charleston and its children have not been spared.

The economic impact of COVID-19 and the ongoing closure of our most special school is threatening to devastate the livelihood of our teachers and crippling the ability of The Acorn School to continue to provide a safe haven and sacred space of learning for our children to return in the fall.

The State of South Carolina ordered the closure of all schools on March 16, 2020, due to the coronavirus. Children will not be returning to classrooms for the remainder of the school year. Many school parents are experiencing financial hardship and cannot provide critical funding. The Acorn School is not receiving any income at this time. The bills, however, continue and our future as a school is uncertain.

The Acorn School, a non-profit organization, was established as the first and only Waldorf-inspired Kindergarten in South Carolina. Our little school opened its doors with just 3 students on a Monday morning in September 2016. With tremendous dedication and hard work from passionate teachers, parents, family, and friends, The Acorn School grew to offer a one-of-a-kind education and experience for children in Charleston. In that time, we filled our enrollment, created an outdoor classroom, and this Fall, committed to a second Kindergarten class and were delighted to offer enrollment for First Grade.

Pre-COVID, we were building an oasis for children to escape from the pressure of traditional education and a broken school system in a State that ranks #43 in education.

This amazing place where childhood is revered, children are held in love, classical education is honored, spirits are nurtured, and imaginations are ignited to create a life-long passion for learning is in jeopardy.

Many of you in our community have asked what can be done to protect our children from losing their beloved Acorn School. We have created the Acorn School Relief Fund in response to your requests for how you can help.

How You Can Help

Dr. Lee Stevens has dedicated his life to educating children and building community in Waldorf Schools across the country. His passion for the transformative power of an education which aims to encourage creativity, innovation, freedom of thought, stewardship of the natural world, and care for human community has inspired countless children throughout the United States to become life-long learners.

This same passion and commitment are what drives Acorn School teachers. They have spent their careers earning specialized degrees and Waldorf certifications, participating in enrichment trainings, and fostering loving relationships with children that instill the values of kindness, compassion, and interconnectedness to all beings.

Because of the vision from Dr. Lee Stevens and the dedication of Acorn School teachers, children in Charleston, SC have an opportunity to experience an education for the future.  

The Acorn School is really just beginning.  Our children need their teachers, friends, and school to reopen this Fall. Imagine how many children will thrive in this exceptional and loving environment if our doors stay open another 3, 5, 10 years, and beyond.

Please help us secure the Acorn School’s future. We cannot do it alone and need your help. 

Your GoFundMe contribution to the Acorn School Relief Fund will directly support the school's teachers and campaign to help fund Kindergarten and First Grade classes for Fall 2020.

Your donations will help:

*  Provide critical resources needed immediately to fund basic operational costs like rent  and insurance
* Support teacher salaries
* Cover classroom supply costs
* Create scholarship opportunities to reduce fees for families experiencing financial hardship 

We cannot thank you enough for considering a donation. A contribution of any size makes a difference for each Acorn School child and teacher and is truly appreciated. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

To help get the word out, please share the link with your friends and family.