About 

Watkinson’s 42-acre campus sits on the property line of Hartford and West Hartford, Connecticut. Our campus features buildings on the National Registry of Historic Places plus an energy neutral Science and Global Citizenship Center, the first of its kind in New England.

Watkinson’s mission is to give our students the power to shape their lives and the world around them. The school’s mission guides our academic program and grounds our community in a set of common values and attitudes.

Our rigorous college-preparatory curriculum sets the bar high for every student in every class. At Watkinson, we believe a focus on your child is key; the knowledge of each student’s learning style is essential to helping her or him to realize their potential. With small classes and a limited number of students per teacher, heterogeneous classrooms—classrooms with students of diverse talents and approaches—are the best source of stimulation and collaboration. These small, diverse classes create an atmosphere of “unanxious expectation” where students are encouraged to think critically and creatively.

At the heart of Watkinson lie the core values of respect and integrity. By living these values, our school grows a sense of community, an appreciation of diversity, a commitment to service, and the practices of healthy living. We work to help students develop the tools they need for ethical decision-making.

Curriculum

Graduation Requirements:

English, Mathematics, Science, History, Languages, Healthy Living,  Fine/Performing Arts

*Two Diploma Programs

Watkinson offers two Diploma Programs for students who commit to intensive study in the Creative Arts or in Global Studies. Students who successfully meet the requirements of either Diploma Program receive a separate diploma, in addition to the traditional Watkinson diploma, upon graduation.

*College-credit Courses at the University of Hartford

Qualified Upper School students take college-credit courses at the University of Hartford through their College Now Program. Students in The Academy explore the college experience by taking two college classes per semester while maintaining a reduced course load and extracurricular activities at Watkinson.

Sports

Soccer, Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball, Lacrosse, Tennis, Softball, Baseball, Golf, Frisbee

Electives

Chorus, Ensemble, Performance Studies, Visual Arts, Drawing, Ceramics, Sculpture, Music Theory & Practice, Global Studies, Diploma Program, Photography, Theater & Film Production, Anatomy & Physiology, African-American History, Ethics, Philosophy, and more

Where Our Graduates Go

Bentley University, Brandeis University, Carnegie Mellon University, Clark University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Dickinson College, Harvard University, Maryland Institute College of Art, New York Universtiy, Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, Syracuse University, Tufts University, Yale University, and more.

*Highlights

Director of College Counseling Terry Ullram Receives National Award 

The Colleges That Change LIves(CTCL) Board of Directors announced awardees in the fourth annual "Counselors That Change Lives" Program. Terry Ullram is one of ten counselors from across the country to be selected for this honor. During his thirteen-year tenure at Watkinson, Terry has completed a strategic planning process for college counseling, mentored hundreds of students on finding the right college "fit," and developed strong relationships with admissions professionals throughout the nation. 

Watkinson School Scholastic Art and Writing Awards 2016

Seven students won prizes at the 2016 connecticut Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. The students summated work to the juried show and their work was recognized in the following categories: sculpture, photography, drawing and illustration, and painting.