Frequently Asked Questions

Standardized testing is required as part of your application for the 2023-2024 school year.*

• For those applying to grades 7-10, the SSAT (SSAT score report) is required.
• For those applying to grades 11, 12, or PG, the PSAT (PSAT Registration) or SAT (SAT Registration) is required.
• For those applying to grade 6, we accept state testing which should be part of your student’s transcript.
• *Exceptions to required standardized testing:
  • If an applicant has had Educational or Neuropsychological testing within the last two years, they may submit that testing along with or instead of standardized testing.
  • If Walker’s is the only school to which the student is applying that requires standardized testing, they may request that we waive the testing and instead submit State testing, Iowas, ERBs, etc.

• TOEFL: Any applicant for whom English is not their first language OR for whom their primary language of instruction is not English (for current and last two years or more) will need to take a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or Duolingo Test for English proficiency and submit their score as part of the admission application. Walker’s TOEFL code is 3072.

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.

Yes! We invite you to view our tour video led by two of our Cicerones, student tour guides as well as the many other videos we have. Our students, faculty, coaches, and admission counselors are also available to speak to any specific questions about programs and facilities you may see on a typical visit to campus.

Walker’s offers daily bus transportation with pickup and drop-off at Bishops Corner in West Hartford. Pricing and availability of this service will be dependent on ridership participation.

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, Apple iBooks and Amazon Kindle ebooks, 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 School and Student Services. Beginning October 2, complete a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) 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 students 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.”

The safety of our community and our prospective families is of the utmost importance. While we still offer our traditional campus visit, we also have many opportunities for families to virtually visit and engage with our campus and community.