Waldorf education in Geneva began in 1976 with the establishment of a kindergarten, which was followed in 1980 by the opening of the actual school. Its welcomes all children of school-going age, regardless of origin or background, from early childhood classes to the end of compulsory schooling and beyond (classes 10 to 12). By the end of compulsory education, the aim is for students of the Geneva Waldorf school to have the same level of academic knowledge as those attending public schools.