Established 1937
World's Oldest Santa School
non-profit organization
Media and News
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
The CWH Santa Claus School has been shared around the world. These are a few of the videos and articles from the past years.
The Art of Becoming Santa
At the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan, some two hundred Santas and Mrs. Clauses came from across the United States, Canada, Denmark and Norway to learn wood toy-making, brush up on storytelling skills, drive sleighs, feed reindeer and, most importantly, spread the Christmas spirit.
The Harvard Of Santa School
What goes into becoming Saint Nick? It takes more than just a red suit and white beard to don the title of Santa Claus. Every year, those that want to perfect the art of being Santa travel to Midland, Michigan, to attend the world’s oldest and longest running Santa school. The Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School has graduated thousands of Kris Kringles over its 80 years, teaching everything from beard grooming to caroling to child psychology.
Michigan’s Santa School attracts hundreds of Santas from around the world
It's hard to believe Christmas is two months away.
But, hundreds of Santas are already hard at work, preparing for the holiday. They just finished up a weekend at Santa School.
Here Comes Santa Claus - and He's Going to School
Here Comes Santa Claus—and He’s Going to School
At this Santa school in Michigan, students learn how to play an iconic holiday role.
Person of the Week: Tom Valent, Santa School Spreads Christmas Cheer, December 24, 2010
Tom Valent started suiting up as Santa Claus when he was just 25 years old, doing his part to spread the Christmas spirit until the real Santa arrives on Christmas Eve.
Santa School: It's Hard Work to be Father (or Mother) Christmas
Being Santa is a serious business. It requires hard work. And conscientious study.
How to become a good Santa Claus: in Michigan the Santa Claus School
The fairy tales must be believed to the full. This is the spirit of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, an hour's drive from Detroit, Michigan, where men of all ages (and beards) test themselves to become perfect Santa Claus. There are many exams and multiple tests, because the subject of wonder is not a game, and knowing how to enchant the world is the discipline of only a select few.
Ken Jeong Cracks Christmas
Ken Jeong Cracks Christmas is the ultimate comedic quest to uncover the pop-culture myths and shocking unexpected stories behind the world’s most celebrated holiday. Ken Jeong, a self-proclaimed holiday fanatic, (who has seen the Nutcracker 45 times and obsesses over his family holiday card for 3 months) immerses himself into different worlds filled with 200 santas, carolers and celebrity friends Joel McHale, Angela Kinsey and Harry Schum Jr. The show travels through time, space, and our collective memory illuminating the gifts, moments, and magic surrounding this most awesome holiday. So, jingle your bells and come laugh along as Ken “cracks” open this holiday.
Midland's Santa Claus School Celebrates 81 years and MACF award
Midland's Santa Claus School celebrates 81 years and MACF award
Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School continues into 81st year
A longstanding Midland tradition continued over the weekend with the 81st annual Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School. Nearly 300 of "Santa's cousins" came from across the country and the world for fellowship, inspiration and a celebration of the Christmas spirit.
I Went To Santa School To Become A Professional Mrs. Claus
How this school helped transform me into Mrs. Claus.
Santa School is in Session
Over 200 Santa Clauses traveled all across the nation to Mid Michigan hoping to make some magic and learn a few new skills.
Santas receive jolly education in Midland
You might not be ready for the Christmas season yet, but Santa is!
Santa Claus School in Session with Christmas Coming Soon
The Charles. W. Howard Santa Claus School is in session in Midland, Michigan.
Santa students concentrate on their ho-ho-ho’s, their makeup, hair and outfits.
It also helps potential Santas handle the excited young people as the instructors say, it’s how Santa treats the kids that matters the most.
The Charles. W. Howard Santa Claus School is in session in Midland, Michigan.
Santa students concentrate on their ho-ho-ho’s, their makeup, hair and outfits.
It also helps potential Santas handle the excited young people as the instructors say, it’s how Santa treats the kids that matters the most.
Watch What Happens When We Send Daym Drops to Santa School
Everyone knows that Santa has lots of helpers all over the world at malls and events, but you may not know that there is a certification process! We sent YouTube food reviewing superstar Daym Drops to Charles W. Howard’s Santa Claus School in Midland Michigan to learn the Santa ropes!
Santa Claus school is the trick to being like St. Nick
As more than 100 stout and bearded men, all dressed in various shades of red and green, board a train to go rattling through the Michigan countryside for no apparent reason, I turn to Tom Valent and ask, "Why?"
Photos: Inside the world’s oldest Santa school
Classes at the world’s oldest Santa Claus school are not exactly ordinary academic fare. They can cover obvious topics such as the history of St. Nicholas and the latest must-have children’s toys. Or they can be on sensitive subjects like avoiding improperly touching children and negotiating contracts. Or they can be bluntly practical, on things such as maintaining good breath and beard hygiene and delivering a belly-sourced ho-ho-ho that doesn’t frighten small children.
And when Santas need a study break or energy boost, they don’t head to Starbucks or the water cooler but stand for a spirited chorus of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and reach for a handful of sugar cookies.
Educating Santa 2011
Santa School is to build the Santa spirit.