Admission Overview

Lead your
own journey

Do you believe in the power of girls?
We do.

People who know Walker’s will tell you that when girls in grades 7–12 first arrive here, they fall in love with the all-girls environment, the serene beauty of our campus, and the power of learning in our classrooms that elevates academic performance.

Walker’s has a strong reputation in three areas: high academic standards that stretch students and motivate them to direct their own learning, the spirit of our all-girls community, and the individual attention we focus on our students. At Walker’s, girls in our Middle School, Upper School, and our postgraduate year pursue their passions, find their voice, take risks, try new things, and make lifelong friends.

We are often asked what we look for in an applicant and, frankly, there is no one type of girl. Rather, we look for girls who can both be academically successful and contribute to our community through their passions and co-curricular activities. We seek students who want to push themselves to explore new opportunities and enrich the lives of others in their own unique ways.

Connect with us

Meet with a member of our Admission Team to go over any initial questions and the application process.

Meet the Admission Team

Pamela Safford '81

Assistant Head of School for Admission and Enrollment

Pamela Safford '81

B.A., Carleton College
M.S., University of Pennsylvania

Pamela holds a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from Carleton College and an M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, she was the Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid at The Country School in New Canaan. Pamela has also been employed as Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Deerfield Academy; Associate Head for Communications, Enrollment and Planning at Concord Academy; and Director of Admission at Northfield Mount Hermon School. Pamela is a founding trustee and former chair of the board for the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP) and she currently serves on the board of the Enrollment Management Association (EMA). Committed to supporting professional development among her peers, Pamela regularly presents at various national conferences including IECA, NAIS, SSATB, and TABS.

Sarah Edwards

Financial Aid Specialist

Sarah Edwards

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B.A., Syracuse University

Sarah Edwards joined Walker’s in the fall of 2022 in the role of Financial Aid Specialist. Sarah has held leadership roles in secondary school admission and financial aid for the past 23 years. In 2009, Sarah founded a consulting firm to support independent schools implement mission-aligned financial aid policies. She served as Director of Admission and Financial Aid at The Derryfield School in Manchester, New Hampshire and previously led the Admission and Financial Aid Department for Boston University Academy in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy, Sarah earned a B.A. from Syracuse University, magna cum laude. She has taught English in Fukuyama, Japan before beginning her career in independent schools. Sarah just completed her term on the SAU 16 public school board in Exeter, New Hampshire. Sarah lives with her husband, Adam, and two teenage sons in Exeter, New Hampshire, where she enjoys mountain biking and other outdoor adventures.

Colin R. Griggs

Assistant Director for Enrollment and Financial Aid

Colin R. Griggs

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B.A., Franklin & Marshall College
M.A., Ohio University

After nearly two decades in the boarding school world, Colin R. Griggs joined the Admission team at Walker’s in July of 2022. His experience includes leadership roles in admission, athletics, student life, and residential life, and has since landed firmly in admission. Griggs has worked closely with Walker’s Financial Aid Committee since 2022 and moved into his role as Assistant Director for Enrollment and Financial Aid starting in the summer of 2025. He enjoys helping families learn about the opportunities that Walker’s can offer them through the financial aid process.

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Hillary Johnson '06

Assistant Director of Admission

Hillary Johnson '06

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B.A., Union College
M.A., New York University

Hillary joined the Walker’s Admission team in the summer of 2025, bringing with her a deep commitment to education and a personal connection to the school. A proud Walker’s alumna, Hillary knew the time was right to return to her alma mater and pursue her long-held passion for supporting students and families through their educational journeys. Hillary holds a Bachelor of Arts from Union College and a Master of Arts from New York University. Prior to joining Walker’s, she spent many years working in the public school systems of the Upper East Side of Manhattan and West Hartford, Connecticut, where she pursued a specialization in Special Education with a dedicated focus on addressing unique educational needs of students with disabilities and learning differences. Her background in education has equipped her with a strong foundation in student support and a keen understanding of diverse learning needs. As a student at Walker’s, Hillary was both a day and boarding student and served as captain of the varsity tennis and varsity soccer teams, embodying Walker’s values of leadership, perseverance, and teamwork. Off campus, Hillary enjoys cheering on her children at hockey games and going on long runs with the family’s golden retriever, Gordie. She lives in nearby West Hartford with her husband, their four children, and Gordie. 

Amy Paul P'16, '18

Senior Associate Director of Admission

Amy Paul P'16, '18

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B.A., Syracuse University
J.D., Boston University

Amy received her Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University and her Juris Doctor from Boston University. She worked as an attorney in a general practice in Hartford for several years before taking a position as a full-time parent caring for her three children. She is committed to volunteering in her community, served as co-board chair of Horizons at The Ethel Walker School, is involved in local politics, and serves on a mental health board. Amy was the president of The Ethel Walker School Parent Association and served on the School’s board of trustees when her daughters Georgia ’16, and Holly ’18 were students at Walker’s. Her work in the Admission Office has been a seamless transition due to her deep affection for Walker’s and her involvement over the years. Amy lives in Avon with her family.

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Gianna Russillo

Assistant Director of Admission

Gianna Russillo

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B.A., Boston University

Gianna Russillo graduated from Boston University where she majored in anthropology with a concentration in health and medicine and worked for the Admissions Office. She previously worked in the Admission Office at the Forman School. Gianna grew up in the independent school world, both as a faculty kid on a boarding school campus and as a graduate. In her free time, you can find Gianna out for a run, taste-testing any and all desserts, or hiking all over New England!

Holly Westfall

Admission Office and Database Manager

Holly Westfall

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Begin Your Story at Walker's

UPPER SCHOOL

Our grades 9 through 12 high school serves not only as preparation for college, but for life itself in this century of constant change. Walker’s graduates, whatever field they pursue, are societal engineers, reworking and rewiring the mechanisms of our world.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

As the only private all-girls middle school in central Connecticut, Walker’s Middle School offers day and boarding programs for girls in grades 7 and 8.

Visit Campus

There are many ways for prospective students and parents to experience our campus, including open houses, our full campus experience, and virtual visits.

Plan a Visit Admission Events

Our Community is Remarkable

Chris Semk teaching

Faculty

One of the most wonderful things about language teaching is improvisation. Almost anything can become a reason to communicate.

Meet Dr. Chris Semk

Meera with students

Head of School

Walker’s beckoned me in a way that few schools have ever done. I found its ethos, energy, and devotion to learning irresistible.

Meet Ms. Vis

AvaS+horse

Students

Being a member of the riding team has been a completely different experience than any other team that I have been a part of.

Meet Ava S. '21

Lauren Nicholson

Alumnae

Walker’s is a community that inspires boldness by regularly providing opportunities for its students to step beyond their comfort zones.

Learn more about Alumnae