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Different.

In all the best ways.

Learn why Watkinson School is rated one of the best private schools in Hartford, CT

Come see for yourself

We invest in students — in their ideas, their ambitions, their wholeness, their possibilities.

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Matteo C. ’19, now at Yale University
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Suzanne Pinkes, Alumni Parent, West Hartford

“I have two Watkinson graduates in one of my college courses right now. The way they speak up, the way they question, the way they can analyze and synthesize complex information… this is what we want for our seniors. And the Watkinson students are coming in as freshmen already demonstrating this.” 

Stefanie Chambers, Professor of Political Science at Trinity College
Watkinson at a glance
Authentic, student-centered learning

A small private school isn’t limiting.
It’s liberating.

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Kate C., Eighth Grade
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Ryheem M. ’19, now at NYU

“When you are in engineering classes, your creativity has to flow more than your test-taking abilities… you need to be able to think with other people, be productive when missing a group member, deliver quality work under a close deadline. Watkinson prepares you well for that. Most other students are used to, ‘I have a test’ and that’s it. At Watkinson you learn how to think in all aspects of academia.” 

Aneesh K. ’18, Aerospace Engineering major at Purdue University
Middle School
Upper school
The Academy (PG)

Like many unique experiences, Watkinson’s differences are hard to describe but easy to feel.

A visit is worth
a thousand websites

Latest News

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Watkinson Private School Senior Is the Only Student Panelist on “Religious Communities United On Climate Justice”

April 20, 2022

Watkinson School, a private school for grade 6-12/PG in Hartford, CT, is pleased to announce that Elijah H. ’22 was selected to be the only student panelist participating in the virtual event “Religious Communities United On Climate Justice”. The panel was co-presented by the Jewish Youth Climate Movement (JYCM) and Interreligious Eco-Justice Network (IREJN) and

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Freshly Squeezed Returns!

April 19, 2022

Watkinson School is pleased to present “Freshly Squeezed with Dennis House: Sparking Joy Against The Odds” on Wednesday, May 11. The panel for this timely topic will include: • Humorist Gina Barreca who speaks nationally and internationally about a variety of topics including humor, women’s comedy, women’s lives, and everybody’s stress. • morning show broadcaster

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The Stories of Watkinson

All the videos on this site have a home on the Watkinson Story Vault, an ever-growing collection of mostly student voices, talking about what the Watkinson difference means to them.

Visit the Story Vault

Latest Featured Video

Giving Us Critical Feedback

Rob Dietelbaum, history teacher and Watkinson’s Academic Dean for Grades 11-12, talks about a key moment of getting feedback from students — a common event at Watkinson, and one that helps the school pursue its mission to give students the power to shape their lives and the world around them.

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Watkinson News cover

Watkinson News Spring/Summer 2021

What Makes the Work Go On

Even in hard times, Watkinson keeps moving forward. This online version of Watkinson News explores how and why it happens. Also in this issue: three featured Senior Projects. 

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Watkinson’s mission is to develop in our private school students the power to shape their lives and the world around them.

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Watkinson School

Founded in 1881, Watkinson School is an independent, private coeducational day school for students from grades 6–PG with a legacy of leadership in progressive education.

We admit students regardless of race, color, religion, origin, or orientation.

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