Woodland Star Charter School Celebrates 25 Years of Success

GLEN ELLEN, CA — Woodland Star Charter School, a public Waldorf school serving students from Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade, marked a major milestone on April 18, 2026, with its 25th Anniversary “Rhinestone Jubilee” Gala. Hosted by the Woodland Star Education Foundation, the school’s 501(c)(3) fundraising arm, the event was held at The Vintage House in downtown Sonoma. The celebratory evening brought together families, alumni, faculty, and community supporters for a night of connection, reflection, and generosity.

The event raised an impressive $48,000 to support Woodland Star’s programs, which emphasize a developmentally based, whole-child approach integrating rigorous academics with an artistic and multi-sensory curriculum. The school also offers a play-based kindergarten program that encourages imagination and preserves the wonder of childhood. Funds raised will directly benefit key areas of the school, including its beloved kitchen program, which provides free, freshly prepared breakfast and lunch to all students daily often using ingredients from the school garden. Meals are made onsite by hand and served using reusable and compostable dishware, underscoring the school’s commitment to sustainability and student well-being.

The evening also highlighted the school’s founding vision and the enduring dedication to carrying it forward. Woodland Star founder Chip Romer shared a message that continues to guide the school’s mission

“We wanted to create a school that will educate our children respectfully, artistically and holistically and nurture in them the capacities, confidence and compassion to imagine and ensure a more peaceful, loving, just and inclusive world. It’s a big mission, but I believe Woodland Star teachers, administrators and staff are doing this every day. So are parents and extended families.”

For 25 years, Woodland Star Charter School has been dedicated to educating creative thinkers prepared to make a positive impact in the world. The Rhinestone Jubilee honored that legacy while strengthening the foundation for the next generation of students. 

Woodland Star currently has a waitlist for the 2026-2027 school year. For more information about the school and its programs, please visit the website: woodlandstarschool.org. 

Our $5,000 Fund-a-Need goal was reached in ONE donation, thank you to a generous alumni family!

KITCHEN GLOW-UP

In 2024, the Local Lunchbox Fund-a-Need, kickstarted with the inspiring vision of the Executive Director Caroline Hopewell to bring healthy, whole, unprocessed foods to the school table with local ingredients and school garden bounty, began our Free Food Program.

It’s been such a success that we were ready for a Kitchen GLOW UP to make our incredible food program even better! Feeding kids healthy, delicious, free food can be made even better with new plates & equipment, helping to increase space and efficiency - strengthening Woodland Star’s lunch program as a whole. 

Vendors that generously donated 100% to support the event:

All Wine & Live Auction Donors shown below

Bartenders: Marjorie Pier & Donald Barron

Emcee : Seth Olyer

Flowers: Mieko & Geordie Carr

Signage & Programs : Troy Boynton

Video : Colegrove Productions / Giving Reel

Non-Alcoholic Mocktail : The Beacon Bar

Photography : Sharolyn Townsend Photography

Bar Program : Street Social

Dessert : Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream

Vendors that donated a portion or gave a discount to support the event:

Venue : Vintage House Sonoma

Catering : Delicious Dish

Check out the Live Auction Packages here!