Watkinson School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked CT School
Grades: 6-12
Enrollment: 240 students
Yearly Tuition: $49,900
Acceptance rate: 55%
Average class size: 13 students
Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Watkinson School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Connecticut for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Progressive Education Network

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 6-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Watkinson School
6	10
7	25
8	31
9	40
10	42
11	45
12	44
Ungraded	3

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Offers Post-Graduate Year

Yes

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Learning Programs Supported

Mild Learning Differences or Language-based / Dyslexia

Year Founded

1881

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Campus Size

40 acres

Student Body

Total Students

240 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

34%

State avg.: 31%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

48 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

5:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

70%

Average Class Size

13 students

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

Advanced courses in Physics and Calculus can earn concurrent credits at Watkinson and University of Saint JosephStudents who qualify may take classes at the University of Hartford and/or the University of Saint Joseph and earn college credit while still in high school.

Average SAT score

1210

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

casual but neat and respectful

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Feb. 1 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$49,900

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Includes lunch and certain fees. Books are not included.

% on Financial Aid

62%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$25,000

Acceptance Rate

55%

National avg.: 82%

College Acceptance Rate

100%

Admissions Director

John Crosson

Admissions Associate

Maricele Riemann

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$9.5 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

9 sports

Sports

BasketballCross Country

FencingGolf

SoccerTennis

Track and FieldUltimate Frisbee

Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

14 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

FencingP.E.

Club or Organization:

Community ServiceDance

Environmental ClubMinecraft Club

Model United NationsPickleball Club

Video ProductionWriting Club

Yoga

Arts and Music Programs:

ChorusOrchestra

Theater

School Notes

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 exceptional as the students we serve. Our Creative Arts, Exhibitions, Global Studies and Learning Skills Programs offer students an broad 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.

School Mascot: Ram

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 5:1 and the average class size is 13. 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.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- David Hemingson - Accomplished writer and producer for film and television. He is best known for writing the critically acclaimed film The Holdovers, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
- Richard Plepler - Richard Plepler is an American media executive, who is said to have ushered in the second golden age of television, and former chairman and chief executive officer of Home Box Office, Inc. a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc, and AT&T's WarnerMedia.
- Opus Moreschi - Emmy Award-winning writer and producer, known for his work on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015-present).

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Watkinson School cost?

Watkinson School's tuition is approximately $49,900 for private students.

What schools are Watkinson School often compared to?

Watkinson School is often viewed alongside schools like Kingswood Oxford School by visitors of our site.

What is the acceptance rate of Watkinson School?

The acceptance rate of Watkinson School is 55%, which is lower than the national average of 71%.

Who are famous alumni from Watkinson School?

Watkinson School famous alumni include: David Hemingson, Richard Plepler and Opus Moreschi.

What sports does Watkinson School offer?

Watkinson School offers 9 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.

What is Watkinson School's ranking?

Watkinson School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Connecticut for: Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Watkinson School?

The application deadline for Watkinson School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (2 reviews)

5 11/10/2022

I LOVE Watkinson. It has given me a chance to explore my interests and make a lot of wonderful new friends. This is my third year and it has been the best decision of my life.

- Posted by Student/Alumni - ZLR

5 1/31/2013

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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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Hartford County, CT is $22,322 for elementary schools and $39,192 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Hartford County, CT is 70% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).