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Layers of growth

  • Authentic Challenge
  • Middle School
  • Upper School
  • Senior Year
  • The Academy
  • University of Hartford
  • Learning Skills Program
  • Dual Diploma Programs
    • Creative Arts Program
    • Global Studies Program
  • Award-Winning College Counseling
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  • Authentic Challenge
  • Middle School
  • Upper School
  • Senior Year
  • The Academy
  • University of Hartford
  • Learning Skills Program
  • Dual Diploma Programs
    • Creative Arts Program
    • Global Studies Program
  • Award-Winning College Counseling
  • SPHERE

Upper School

“I don’t mind being challenged. I want to be challenged. I mind being bored.”

Watkinson Tenth Grader
  • A student says...
  • A teacher says...
  • An international student says...
  • An alum says...
A student says...
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“The teacher-student relationship here isn’t an authority/subordinate relationship — it’s more of a partnership.”

Eve ’19

Recent grad, now attending Bryn Mawr

A teacher says...
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“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

An international student says...
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“This is a small school and every teacher knows me, so they trust me with my ability and really support my plan positively.”

Cindy Z. ’20

An alum says...
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“By coming to Watkinson I was able to grow and not be nervous to try activities just because of my skin color.... I learned that I was able to go into architecture, I was more confident in my art. ”

Ryheem M. ’19

Now attending NYU

“In planning the 9th/10th grade Humanities courses, the Essential Question we started with was, ‘What is it about humanity that needs to tell stories? What is the importance of storytelling, and what is the impact of storytelling?’”

English and history electives

Connected to our work on our five-year Strategic Plan, specifically to deepen our educational program to engage and address all learners in an equitable way, Watkinson has re-crafted its slate of English and History electives.

1960s Monologues

In tenth grade, students research, write, memorize and perform as someone (real or invented) from the 1960s. In order to capture the motives and struggles of such a character, it is imperative for students to understand the social, political, economic and cultural events that shaped the people of this period.

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“I have no doubt that Watkinson is the only school where an idea as bold as this one would be encouraged and supported.”

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Authentic student-led challenge

“The conference clearly wanted someone to present who was a math professor, but, as a student used to being taken seriously at Watkinson, I sent back an email explaining who I was and that I would be happy to present.”

10th grade exhibitions

A year-long process in which students become collectors, evaluators, and exhibitors of their own 9th and 10th grade work in writing, applying the research method, problem-solving, and collaboration. Students receive one-on-one coaching throughout and present their findings to an audience for feedback and commendation.

Graduation Speakers

Unlike other graduations, ours puts the student at the center by having no VIP speaker. Rather, we invite our students — as many as want to — to speak or perform. Last year, 20 graduating seniors took center stage to speak on topics as diverse as their own experiences, personalities, and future trajectories.

Come see for yourself

Watkinson’s mission is to develop in our 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, 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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Learning

  • Authentic Challenge
  • Middle School
  • Upper School
  • Senior Year
  • The Academy
  • University of Hartford
  • Learning Skills Program
  • Dual Diploma Programs
    • Creative Arts Program
    • Global Studies Program
  • Award-Winning College Counseling
  • SPHERE
Menu
  • Authentic Challenge
  • Middle School
  • Upper School
  • Senior Year
  • The Academy
  • University of Hartford
  • Learning Skills Program
  • Dual Diploma Programs
    • Creative Arts Program
    • Global Studies Program
  • Award-Winning College Counseling
  • SPHERE
Search
  • Athletics
  • Directions
  • Calendar
  • News
  • Alumni
  • Directory
  • Inquire
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Forms
  • Student Records Login

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  • At a Glance
  • From the Head
  • Board of Trustees
  • Employee Directory
  • Strategic Plan
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