Founded in 1881, Watkinson School is Hartford's oldest independent school.
We serve approximately 220 students from over forty Connecticut towns in grades six through twelve, including The Academy at Watkinson a unique post graduate program.
Watkinson's mission is to develop in our students the power to shape their own lives and the world around them.
Watkinson's programs are as unique as the students we serve. Our Creative Arts, Exhibitions, Global Studies and Learning Skills Programs offer students an exceptional range of experiences - from guest speakers, to international travel, to memorable reflection to one-on-one coaching. You will not find programs like these anywhere else.
Club or Organization: Community Service, Culinary Arts, Dance, Environmental Club, Model United Nations, Video Production, Writing Club, Yoga
Arts and Music Programs: Chorus, Orchestra, Theater
School Notes
A Hartford fixture since 1881, Watkinson`s mission is to
develop in our students the power to shape their lives and the
world around them. Watkinson`s 40-acre campus is adjacent to
the University of Hartford. Watkinson`s faculty includes 47
teachers, 27 of whom hold graduate degrees or above. Our
student to teacher ratio is 6:1 and the average class size is
14. Our architecturally-rich campus features buildings on the
National Registry of Historic Places plus an energy efficient
Science and Global Citizenship Center, the first of its kind in New
England.
Watkinson is a lead school for the Coalition of Essential
Schools (www.essentialschools.org), one of only 5 schools to be so
honored. The Coalition's ten common Principles form the daily basis
of an outstanding education.
Watkinson is a mission-driven school. That means we plan our
lessons, organize our curriculum, and build our buildings with one
question in mind: how does this help our students develop the power
to shape their lives and the world around them By questioning
assumptions, making connections, and applying new patterns in new
ways, students find themselves becoming more than they ever
imagined. Always, we help them ask: What kind of world can I create
with this knowledge, these skills, this understanding of
myself
The transition for my 11th grader to Watkinson has been fantastic. He continues to excel in the courses he is strong in, but now enjoys and is learning in those he previously struggled in. The atmosphere at Watkinson is only truly understood when you spend time on the campus - it is unlike any other private school and the only one that seems to intuitively understand the soft skills that will truly be critical for our children to navigate their future. My only wish is we had started soon. Its best summed up by my son who transitioned at a challenging time he said to his sister "sure i miss my friends - but I am doing so much better in school and am learning without being stressed."
- Posted by Parent - amyfr
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At last we have a dedicated phone number for suicide and crisis support. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 988. More about it and suicide prevention here.
Seemingly never-ending school shootings prompted me to find out whether private schools were safer than public schools. Some answers and opinions on the matter here.
The average private school tuition in Hartford County, CT is $19,728 for elementary schools and $36,936 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
