I completely disagree that Steiner schools only teach "a very narrow and contained curriculum, often giving attention to what the individual student is interested in and not focusing on other key skills and learning areas, including reading."

Steiner education covers all areas from mathematics, to language, to music, to physical education, to arts and crafts etc. and is very structured. It was never about just giving "attention to what the individual student is interested in". This i not a child-lead education philosophy. 

It works with the natural stages of development of the child and of the growing human being. Yes you don't learn to read at 7, i couldn't read at 7, but by the time i was about 12 i was reading in depth novels. 

You learn in a developmentally appropriate way that doesn't burn the student out and drive out their love of learning, but rather instills a love for learning, and enables the unfolding and flourishing of the whole human being. 

My primary school had about 45 kids in total. I went from there to a public state high school of around 1,000 kids. The actual school work was a breeze, i was topping maths and english etc. The challenge (and it was a real challenge) was adjusting to the cultural shock of being around kids that didn't care about school, and teachers who also didn't seem to care and just handed out black and white copies for you to fill in.

Steiner education was in-depth. Each area incorporated artistic elements and encouraged kids to learn and work for the love of learning, not for a grade. 

Public school wasn't all bad, neither was my university degree. But it was extremely focused on the head at the expense of the whole person, and on the ability to just retain information, and almost completely drove out a love for learning - not to mention a love for life! 

I must say, i learnt the most fully and deeply at the Steiner school, because it taught and activated the whole of me - head, heart and hands - and for that, i am forever grateful.