I went through a Steiner school from pre-school to end of high school. It’s highly opinionated and very controlling initially. When you paint, you start with one colour. Then another day you get the next (there were only primary colours, because of course).

You eat at your desk, then you’re allowed to play. This was dropped after a year or so.

You don’t learn to read until you’re 7, etc etc.

However, by the end of high school it was up to the individual how much they achieved, and there was minimal pressure. As long as you weren’t messing with other kids, you could do a little or much as you please, and consequences were minimal.

Tools and skills were introduced at a developmentally appropriate age - not sure who chose that age though.

There was a lot wrong with the school and the system, but there was a lot more that was right in my opinion.