Frequently Asked Questions

Standardized and/or Diagnostic Testing* 

The Ethel Walker School strongly encourages domestic (U.S. citizens) applicants to submit standardized or diagnostic (neuropsychological or educational) test scores as part of a complete application. Testing requirements vary by grade level and by primary language as outlined below.

For native English speakers:

Grades 7, 8
Applicants should submit scores from one of the following: 

• ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam)
• SBA (Smarter Balanced Assessment)
• CTP (Comprehensive Testing Program)
• SSAT
• Any other standardized test results, including state testing; and/or educational/neuropsychological testing
  

Grades 9, 10
Applicants should submit scores from one of the following: 

• ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam)
• SSAT
• Any other standardized test results, including state testing; and/or educational/neuropsychological testing

Grades 11, 12
Applicants should submit scores from one of the following: 

• PSAT
• SAT
• PACT
• ACT
• SSAT
• Any other standardized test results, including state testing; and/or educational/neuropsychological testing

Postgraduate (PG)
Applicants should submit scores from one of the following: 

• SAT
• ACT
• Any other standardized test results, including state testing; and/or educational/neuropsychological testing

Applicants for whom English is not the primary language at home or at school:
These applicants are encouraged to submit test results as outlined above for their intended grade level. 

In addition, applicants whose native language is not English** should submit test results from one of the following English proficiency exams:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – School Code: 3072
• TOEFL Junior
• Duolingo English Test

*Walker’s recognizes that a single test does not define a student, so we always review test results in the context of everything else we know about the student as a result of an interview, teacher recommendations, grades, writing, etc.  We also recognize that students learn differently, come with different kinds of preparation, and different levels of confidence! Thus, we provide resources beyond the classroom, including our Academic Center for Excellence and school counselors, who work together to provide instruction and programming as well as invite drop-ins as students wish to benefit from their support:

Academic Support

**This requirement is waived for applicants who have completed three or more years of education at a school at which English is the primary language of instruction.

An interview is required as part of the application process for both Middle and Upper School students and provides the student with an opportunity to learn more about Walker’s and for the admission team to learn more about the students goals and aspirations. Interviews are typically held on campus but can also be done virtually using Zoom. You can schedule an interview through your admission portal or contact the Admission Office at +1-860-408-4200 to request a specific date or time.

At Walker’s, we believe in the power of technology as a tool that our girls use to chart a path to their own success. All students are required to have a device for their academic work. As an Apple school, we strongly recommend Apple laptops (MacBooks) for their versatility and functionality. Families are responsible for purchasing the student’s device, and students are expected to bring their device, fully charged, and in good repair, to school each day. Support staff is on hand during the school day to provide technical guidance should problems arise.

Faculty use many online academic resources including Google Apps for Education, digital note-taking, and annotation apps. Students are also versed in presentation and multimedia editing software, and in our online student information and learning management systems. With daily use of these and many more applications, our students are poised to integrate traditional classroom tools with today’s online academic resources.

Families must complete the application for tuition assistance through Clarity and upload all required forms by January 15 for new families and January 1 for returning families. Each family must apply annually for financial aid, and the tax documents will be reviewed annually. For more information, visit our Affording Walker’s page.

You do not need to be a rider to excel at Walker’s. While we offer a premier riding program for equestrian students, the majority of our student body participates in other sports and co-curricular activities.

Day students are able to register their car with our Office of Student Life and will be provided with a parking pass and space assignment. However, boarding students are not permitted a car on campus.

Experienced college advising faculty know students well and support each girl through the college search on her way to meeting her unique aspirations. Walker’s graduates have been accepted to selective and highly-selective schools that you can find in our full matriculation list.

Walker’s dress code has evolved over many decades to represent the styles of the times, while maintaining school traditions. We also celebrate our school spirit each week during Walker’s Wednesday and enjoy dress down days the first Friday of each month. For a complete description of our dress code, please visit our dress code page.

Speaking with a current parent is an excellent way to get to know our school and hear about the Walker’s experience from someone who is a part of it everyday. We are fortunate to have many parents of current students who volunteer to act as ambassadors for the school. Our parent ambassadors welcome the opportunity to communicate with prospective families to share their Walker’s experience through a phone call, email, at a reception, or Open House.

We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to connect by contacting the Office of Admission at +1-860-408-4200 or admission@ethelwalker.org to arrange a conversation with one of our parent ambassadors.

The completed application is due by January 15 to ensure an on-time decision. We recommend starting your application as soon as you feel ready and requesting your transcripts and teacher recommendation early to ensure they have enough time to complete them.

Our student body is 60% boarding students and 40% day and many times you won’t be able to tell a student’s residence status until they either head to the dorms or to their homes in the evening. Day students are welcome to join the boarding community for evening study halls as well as all three meals, and many take advantage of this as student organizations and study groups will use meal times to meet. As one student shares, “The feeling of sisterhood and female empowerment at Walker’s was evident to me immediately. Being a Walker’s girl means that you are compassionate, you are kind, and you work hard to support your fellow girls.”