A concern of many parents and interested folk is that Steiner/Waldorf schools teach children Anthroposophy, a spiritual philosophy (more like a path or method, there are no wild dogmas involved but that’s beside the point) was initiated by Rudolf Steiner. Insights from Anthroposophy about the development of the child and education are used in Waldorf schools, but Anthroposophy itself is specifically not taught to students.

Are Waldorf schools religious schools ran by a sect? No, they are not. They use educational insights that help the students learn and think for themselves. Running Waldorf homeschooling also won’t magically turn you or the child into Anthroposophists. You’re still you. If you find something of value in Anthroposophy, great! If you don’t, that’s fine too! As long as you know the facts and decide out of freedom for yourself either way, that’s your decision and no reasonable Anthroposophist will have any problem with that.

“The Steiner school curriculum is not designed to guide and encourage young people into becoming adherents of anthroposophy. Rather, Steiner education and the maintained sector share the goal of enabling pupils to grow into adults capable of thinking for themselves and making independent judgements”

Research Report No 645 – Steiner Schools in England

1. Steiner stated that anthroposophy was meant to be the foundation for the teachers’ understanding and approach, not content to be taught to students. The curriculum and teaching methods are informed by anthroposophical insights into child development, but anthroposophy as a philosophy is specifically not part of the curriculum.
2. Studies have shown that Waldorf pupils generally have little awareness of anthroposophy, indicating it is not explicitly taught in the classroom. 
3. The Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship (SWSF) states: “Steiner schools do not teach anthroposophy, indeed some would argue that it cannot be taught in any conventional sense. Our schools endeavour to work ‘out of anthroposophy'”
4. Waldorf education aims to develop students’ intellectual, artistic and practical skills in a holistic way, focusing on imagination and creativity, rather than teaching anthroposophical concepts directly.
5. Steiner intended for anthroposophy to underpin the curriculum design and pedagogical approach, while not being explicitly taught as subject matter to students.

TL;DR: Steiner/Waldorf schools use ideas from Anthroposophy to shape their teaching but don’t teach it directly to students. The focus is on developing creativity and independent thinking, not on promoting any particular philosophy. So, Waldorf education isn’t about turning kids into Anthroposophists—just helping them grow and learn in a well-rounded way.