Home - Watkinson School

Want to know why…

Watkinson’s Classes of 2022 & 2023 were offered $5 million in merit scholarship college aid?

Watkinson students succeed in the finest colleges in the country. Colleges want Watkinson students because they are known to think deeper, question harder, and engage more fully as they learn. They know what it means to contribute to a seriously enjoyable learning community.

That’s why.

Come see for yourself

Want to know why…

Watkinson’s unrivaled academic programs — like Exhibitions, Senior Seminar, & dual diplomas — get students accepted into the country’s best colleges?

“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 Watkinson students are coming in as freshmen already demonstrating this.”

Stefanie Chambers, Professor of Political Science at Trinity College

That’s why.

Come see for yourself

Want to know why…

100% of Watkinson parents agree that the school is a safe place to learn, where the emotional development of their students is supported?

International research has established that, for students of all ages, happiness correlates with intrinsic motivation — a personal drive to learn. Furthermore, for students in grades 4–12, happiness is positively associated with GPA. Watkinson prioritizes a sense of happiness and belonging in this learning community not just because it feels good, but because happier students literally learn better.

That’s why.

Come see for yourself

Want to know why

Watkinson has 100+ 5-Star Reviews on Niche.com from parents & alumni?

“Because of Watkinson, my daughter knows what she’s capable of. And, also because of Watkinson, she’s capable of a great deal.” — Watkinson parent and professor at Wesleyan University

“When you’re in engineering classes, your creativity has to flow even more than your test-taking abilities. At Watkinson you learn all aspects of academia.” — Aneesh K., Ph.D. candidate in Aerospace Engineering at Purdue University

“I don’t want to wait for college for my son to be engaged. I want him to be engaged now, which also changes the colleges he’s eventually going to have available to him and what he’ll be able to get out of it.” — Watkinson parent

“I thought I had to choose between a really rigorous, challenging school and a school where my kid would be happy. Turns out we could get both. In fact I would almost say they depend on each other.” — Watkinson parent

That’s why.

Where our private school students have been accepted

Brown University - Watkinson Private School CT-min

Boston University - Watkinson Private School CT

University of Connecticut - Watkinson Private School CT

Bryant University - Watkinson Private School CT

Cornell University - Watkinson Private School CT-min

University of Massachusetts Amherst - Watkinson Private School CT

Northeastern University - Watkinson Private School CT

Quinnipiac University - Watkinson Private School CT

Tufts University - Watkinson Private School CT

The University of Rhode Island - Watkinson Private School CT

New York University - Watkinson Private School CT

Pennsylvania State University - Watkinson Private School CT

University of Deleware - Watkinson Private School CT

At a glance
Info Sessions
Videos
Financial Aid & Tuition

At a glance

Coed, college-preparatory day school for

grades 6–12

Average class size

13 Wide variety of

interscholastic sports

in trimester seasons

Student-to-teacher ratio

6:1

220 students from

40 towns

reflecting a wide range of academic, personal, and socioeconomic backgrounds

Diploma programs in

Creative Arts

&

Global Studies

Classes at the

University of Hartford

More than

30%

students of color

The Academy at Watkinson

a unique PG program for high school graduates who are college-bound but not yet college ready

Info Sessions

An Info Session is an excellent way to get a sense of what Watkinson has to offer. Info sessions will include

Welcome with Head of School Teri Schrader and Director of Admission John Crosson
Hear from faculty and administrators
Q & A panel with current students
Campus tour

During the summer, we have in-person, outdoor info sessions in the evening. These events include a barbecue, campus tour, and time with our private school leaders, faculty, and students.

Upcoming Info Sessions...

AUG

7

6:00PM

ON CAMPUS

SEP

27

9:00AM

ON CAMPUS

OCT

18

9:00AM

ON CAMPUS

coffee with the
head of school

Coffees with the head of school happen once a month at 8am. We have held our last coffee for this school year; these casual and informative events will resume in the fall.

Videos

Play Video

“At Watkinson, we don’t have AP classes, because, in fact, we don’t think they’re rigorous enough.”

Jen O’Brien

Director of Global Studies & Science Teacher

Visit the Watkinson Story Vault for more (50!) videos from students, faculty, parents, and alumni

Financial Aid & Tuition

We know independent school is a huge investment for any family — a worthy and important investment, but still a very serious commitment. That’s why we are equally serious about working as hard as we can to enroll and assist the most outstanding and qualified students each year. Our need-based financial aid hopes to provide the opportunity for those families who are unable to afford the full cost of tuition to attend. While we are not able to guarantee financial aid for all students, more than 60% of our students receive some level of financial aid each year.

Watkinson financial aid packages are direct grants, with no repayment required.

Tuition for the 2023–2024 School Year

6th and 7th grade — $43,400.00

8th to 12th grade — $48,700.00

Academy — $35,100.00

International — $49,700.00

the clarity app

The School and Student Service for Financial Aid

Watkinson School’s financial aid program is designed to make a Watkinson education possible for all families who qualify based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. Parents may use the Clarity application to help determine financial need based on the information shared in the application, including assets, income, expenses, and debts.

Clarity offers a user-friendly interface, quick completion (under 30 minutes), mobile optimization, and automatic IRS data transfer to enhance convenience for our families. You can save your progress and return at any time. At the end of the application, there is a $60 fee to submit.

Latest News

See all

Watkinson Elects New President and Vice President

July 9, 2024

Kathleen Kane-Francalangia and Nancy Wheeler named Board of Trustees President and Vice President Respectively Watkinson School is pleased to announce that Kathleen Kane-Francalangia (West Hartford), has been elected president of its Board of Trustees effective July 1, 2024. Kane-Francalangia succeeds Wendy Avery (West Hartford), Director of Marketing and Communications at Corridor Ventures. Nancy Wheeler (Northampton,

Return of the Hog River Review

June 3, 2024

After a brief respite caused by the pandemic, the Hog River Review (HRR) has returned. Begun in the early 1990s as a student-led literary magazine, and evolving into a full-color literary and arts magazine in the early 2000s, the HRR ceased publication from 2020-2023. This year, sophomore Landon S. decided to take on the challenge

David Hemingson speaks at private school fundraiser

David Hemingson ’82 Is Guest of Honor at fundraiser for Grace Scholars

April 17, 2024

Oscar-nominated screenwriter David Hemingson ’82 spent the day on campus on April 9, 2024. He attended classes, spoke at All-School Meeting, and in the evening was the guest of honor at a fundraiser for Grace Scholars at Watkinson. Watkinson School is grateful to Mr. Hemingson for his generosity of time and attention to our students

Listen to the stories behind the statistics

The Watkinson Story Vault

Want to know why…

Watkinson’s Classes of 2022 & 2023 were offered $5 million in merit scholarship college aid?

That’s why.

Want to know why…

Watkinson’s unrivaled academic programs — like Exhibitions, Senior Seminar, & dual diplomas — get students accepted into the country’s best colleges?

That’s why.

Want to know why…

100% of Watkinson parents agree that the school is a safe place to learn, where the emotional development of their students is supported?

That’s why.

Want to know why

Watkinson has 100+ 5-Star Reviews on Niche.com from parents & alumni?

That’s why.

Where our private school students have been accepted

Coed, college-preparatory day school for

grades 6–12

Average class size

13

Wide variety of

in trimester seasons

Student-to-teacher ratio

6:1

220 students from

40 towns

reflecting a wide range of academic, personal, and socioeconomic backgrounds

Diploma programs in

&

Classes at the

More than

30%

students of color

a unique PG program for high school graduates who are college-bound but not yet college ready

Info Sessions

Upcoming Info Sessions...

AUG

7

6:00PM

ON CAMPUS

SEP

27

9:00AM

ON CAMPUS

OCT

18

9:00AM

ON CAMPUS

coffee with the head of school

“At Watkinson, we don’t have AP classes, because, in fact, we don’t think they’re rigorous enough.”

Jen O’Brien

Director of Global Studies & Science Teacher

Tuition for the 2023–2024 School Year

the clarity app

The School and Student Service for Financial Aid

Latest News

Most-visited pages

Listen to the stories behind the statistics

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

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coffee with the
head of school