Watkinson School Photo #4 - Our varsity teams and players are competitive and successful. Along with varsity sports, Watkinson also offers a middle school athletics program allowing every athlete an opportunity for maximum participation while learning fundamentals. Sportsmanship is a high priority with all our teams. Many athletes are two- and three-sport athletes.

Watkinson School

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Watkinson School Photo #1 - 225 students from 43 towns, reflecting a wide range of academic, personal and socioeconomic backgrounds. Faculty includes 43 teachers, 26 of whom hold master's degrees or above. Student-teacher ratio 6:1. Average class size 14
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Watkinson School Photo #1 - 225 students from 43 towns, reflecting a wide range of academic, personal and socioeconomic backgrounds. Faculty includes 43 teachers, 26 of whom hold master's degrees or above. Student-teacher ratio 6:1. Average class size 14
Watkinson School Photo #2 - Watkinson gets extraordinary results from happy students and our graduates succeed at the best schools in the country. It's been proven: Students literally learn better when they're happy. Research shows that your child's happiness affects how they develop, connect, and succeed. Come for a visit and experience Watkinson's potent combination of kindness and rigor.
Watkinson School Photo #3 - Key to Watkinson's Science curriculum is our mission: giving students the power to shape their lives and the world around them. Students need to understand the natural laws governing our world in order to make change. We challenge students with real world problems, like reducing energy consumption and assessing/reducing local water pollution as ways to connect knowledge with change.
Watkinson School Photo #4 - 8 Middle School, 17 Upper School interscholastic athletic teams fielded annually; member of the Hudson Valley Athletic League and New England Prep School Athletic Council
Watkinson School Photo #5 - In addition to using traditional numeric and letter grades, Watkinson awards effort grades. A direct extension of Watkinson's unique educational philosophy, effort grades evaluate a student's work ethics and habit in the classroom. Using these alongside each student's record of academic standing is imperative to assessing the whole child and invaluable to celebrating a wide array of learners.
Watkinson School Photo #6 - Our varsity teams and players are competitive and successful. Along with varsity sports, Watkinson also offers a middle school athletics program allowing every athlete an opportunity for maximum participation while learning fundamentals. Sportsmanship is a high priority with all our teams. Many athletes are two- and three-sport athletes.
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.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • 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

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute
School History

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
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

Student Body

Total Students
240 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
34%
State avg.: 30%
Students by Grade
Watkinson School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
48 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
70%
Average Class Size
13 students
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
Students 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
24
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
casual but neat and respectful

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
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.: 85%
Admissions Director
John Crosson
Admissions Associate
Maricele Riemann
Endowment Size
$9.5 million

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
14 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Fencing, P.E.

Club or Organization:
Community Service, Dance, Environmental Club, Minecraft Club, Model United Nations, Pickleball Club, 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 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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Watkinson School cost?
Watkinson School's tuition is approximately $49,900 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Watkinson School?
The acceptance rate of Watkinson School is 55%, which is lower than the national average of 70%.
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: Largest student body and 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  
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
5  
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

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • 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

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Hartford County, CT is $21,130 for elementary schools and $38,780 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Hartford County, CT is 66% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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