FB pixel

Watkinson School

Category: SPHERE

  • Watkinson School’s SPHERE Summer Program For Hartford 1st-5th Graders Enrolling for 52nd Year

    Watkinson School’s SPHERE Summer Program For Hartford 1st-5th Graders Enrolling for 52nd Year

    Watkinson School’s SPHERE Summer Program is an academic enrichment program that successfully integrates fun-filled summertime activities with educational hands-on activities and classroom academics. Students who attend SPHERE achieve exponential growth in their reading and math abilities. The goal of SPHERE is to help students discover that learning can be achieved through varied creative and recreational activities. Our small classes provide special attention and time to explore areas of interest. SPHERE provides an environment with supportive and personalized instruction that prepares the student for the upcoming school year.

    Head of School Teri Schrader says, “For over fifty years, Sphere has been an important part of Watkinson School, welcoming our youngest students to campus for a summer of learning and fun. We are proud of our longstanding relationship with our neighboring schools in the city of Hartford and East Hartford and to the partnerships created as we strive to support young children in their academic development during the summer months. Year after year, SPHERE students at Watkinson demonstrate not only academic progress in math and reading, but also enjoy exploring the arts and sciences, riding bikes, and playing outdoors in a safe and beautiful environment. SPHERE is synonymous with summer at Watkinson, and we can’t imagine it otherwise!”

    SPHERE is a non-profit, five-week program for 60-70 Hartford and East Hartford  youth entering grades 1-5. The program begins Monday, June 24, 2024 and ends Friday, July 26, 2024. 

    The day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with lunch and morning/afternoon snacks included. The main goal of SPHERE is to extend learning beyond June to prepare students for September in a caring, fun, and creative environment. This is achieved by simultaneously addressing any learning gaps that exist, strengthening current academic and interpersonal skills, and building confidence through exposure to the upcoming grade’s content.

    SPHERE classes are aligned with the Common Core State Standards in literacy and math. In addition, students receive science, art, and technology instruction. Our small classes provide personalized and culturally-relevant instruction that prepares the student for the upcoming school year.

    SPHERE is made possible through funding from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Ensworth Charitable Foundation, Petit Family Foundation, Berkshire Bank, Stanley and Hinda Fisher Fund, George and Grace Long Foundation, J. Walton Bissell Foundation, and United Way of Central and Northeastern CT, 

    Application materials are also available upon request by emailing sphere@watkinson.org or by calling: 860-236-5618 ext. 156.  Applications for returning students have priority acceptance up to March 25, 2024.  After March 25th, if openings are available, new students will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program is full. Only completed application packets will be considered.

    Watkinson School, a co-educational independent private day school for grades 6-12/PG,  is Hartford’s oldest independent school.  Watkinson’s next info session for prospective students is April 5 at 9am.

  • First-ever SPHERE Community Day

    First-ever SPHERE Community Day

    Members of the greater Hartford community visited Watkinson yesterday for the school’s first-ever SPHERE Community Day. SPHERE is Watkinson’s nearly 50-year-old summer enrichment program for Hartford elementary students. SPHERE helps students to make academic gains and avoid summer learning loss, focusing on reading, writing, math, and technology skills. In addition, over the course of the five-week program, the students participate in art, physical education classes, and field trips.

    Community Day included breakfast, a welcome from Head of School Teri Schrader, a program overview with SPHERE Director Downey Knapp, classroom observations, participation in the book buddy program, and a panel discussion with students, counselors, and parents. Some of the lucky attendees even got to read aloud to the students! A current SPHERE parent on the panel said, “SPHERE provides a safe environment filled with learning; the program is ‘above and beyond in every way!”

  • Preparations For SPHERE Are Underway

    Preparations For SPHERE Are Underway

    by Harrison Richman, University of Hartford Communications Intern

    Watkinson’s SPHERE Summer Program is entering its 47th summer with the goal of helping Hartford elementary students discover that learning can be achieved through varied creative and recreational activities. Each summer, Watkinson School enrolls 80-90 Hartford children, grades 1-5, in SPHERE and gives them a chance at a more focused and seasonal-based education program at Watkinson’s 40-acre Hartford campus.

    The five-week program consists of academic activities such as weekly trips to the 4-H education center, and special guest readers among classes that align with Common Core State Standards consisting of literacy, math, science, reading, art, physical education, and computers. In addition to the knowledge-based tasks, students will be able to partake in seasonal activities including the Sphere Olympics, picnics, and sprinkler Fridays.

    Having the program tied in with Watkinson means our private school students can be involved too. Watkinson students in 11th and 12th grade may apply to be counselors, while 9th and 10th-grade students may apply to be counselors in training or CITs. The SPHERE program not only gives children a chance at a better education but ALSO helps young adults in the Watkinson community learn what it takes to lead a group first-hand.

    Returning campers/students have an application deadline date of March 10th, 2019. While new campers/students have an application deadline of May 22nd, 2019. The Watkinson SPHERE program is a special and invaluable program for both the prospective counselor and the prospective student.

    The application for campers and counselors is here.