“Walker’s is a revitalized force in independent education.”
Extracurriculars
The Ethel Walker Middle School is a great place to explore new ideas and try new things. Our various clubs and activities offer students the chance to discover a new passion or develop skills in a new area. They also offer the chance for our girls to have some fun together and to make new friends. Look below and you'll see that at The Ethel Walker Middle School, our girls have the chance to learn, create, explore and grow!
The Garden Club
The Ethel Walker Middle School maintains an organic community garden, led by art teacher and avid gardener Grace Epstein. Our students start in the spring by turning the soil and spreading the compost; they plant, weed and tend the garden all on their own. In the fall, once the harvest is in, our girls learn cooking techniques that use organic ingredients and all natural sweeteners. Did you know that boiling down apple cider produces a wonderful sugar? Much of the produce is donated to local food banks. After the produce is gone and the winter quiet has begun, the girls make art projects to adorn our beautiful garden. Then they start the cycle all over again when spring comes. The garden has become a center of activity and an oasis of peace here on our campus. We urge you to visit whenever you can.
Middle School Orchestra
Both experienced and novice instrumentalists in our Middle School have enjoyed working on pieces ranging from marches to Mozart. Our orchestra is a favorite at the annual holiday concert and at our "Night of Excellence" program. Private music lessons can also be arranged for an additional fee.
Athletics
Becoming a part of an athletic team is a valuable experience for all students. Walker’s Middle School athletics program offers students the chance to learn new skills, form new friendships and develop teamwork and commitment. Practices are held 4 times a week during an 80–minute activity block scheduled during the school day. Games are scheduled after school on weekdays and occasional weekends.
Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students are required to participate on a sports team, dance, riding or theatre during each season. Eighth graders may try out for an upper school team if that sport is not offered at the middle school level.
Community Service/Service Learning
As in the Upper School, outreach to the greater community via service is an integral part of the Walker's experience. Students suggest their own ideas for outreach in addition to the many established opportunities. Food drives, book drives, Empty Bowls, Alex's Lemonade Stand and mentoring younger students are just some of the initiatives pursued by the Middle School.
Middle School Student Government and Leadership
Four students each year are elected to leadership roles in the Middle School: a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Head of Community Service. These student leaders, affectionately dubbed the "Little 4" in reference to our Upper School "Big 7", meet weekly with faculty to discuss issues in the school, plan activities and to promote a sense of shared accountability in the Middle School. They decide each week on one student to receive the "UNITY" award for her kindness toward others or her general good contributions to the life of the school.
Middle School Play
Each winter season, our girls can choose drama as their extracurricular/athletic elective and each March, we put on a wonderful theatre production. Musicals alternate with plays each year and provide an opportunity to be a part of a big, main-stage production. Recent performances earning rave reviews have been Wonderland, a musical adaptation of the classic Alice in Wonderland, Robin Hood, The Hobbit, The Secret Garden, The Jungle Book, among others.
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Walker's Centennial
– David, P ‘09
