The dialogue between Waldorf education and educational science has significantly intensified over the past two decades. This introduction presents the educational and teaching models in Waldorf schools and kindergartens - from the collegial organization of the school to the holistic curriculum and the long-standing class teacher principle, as well as the Goethean teaching and educational art. Additionally, the reader will gain an overview of the current state of research on Waldorf schools, particularly regarding teacher-student relationships, the value orientations of Waldorf teachers and students, as well as the experiences and career paths of graduates from these schools. Waldorf education has developed several innovative models in response to current societal challenges after nearly a century of global success.