How to Apply

We’re here to guide you

Applying to a school should be as easy as possible, and we have a step-by-step checklist to help guide you through the application process.

Walker’s accepts applications through Standard Application Online (SAO). See below to navigate our application requirements and instructions.

If you have any questions about the application process, feel free to reach out to a member of our Admission Team at admission@ethelwalker.org or +1-860-408-4200.

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Application Requirements
Middle School Early Decision

View the webinar below for interview tips, featuring Walker’s Assistant Head for Admission and Enrollment Pamela J. Safford ’81.

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How Do I Apply to Walker's?

Applying to a school should be as easy as possible, and we have a step-by-step checklist to help guide you through the application process. Walker’s accepts applications through Standard Application Online (SAO). See below to navigate our application requirements and instructions.

We ask all prospective families to complete our online inquiry form which helps us to tailor the admission experience to match each student’s situation and unique interests. Submitting the form also prompts one of our Admission Counselor to reach out to connect and to inform you of next steps to help you get to know Walker’s.

INQUIRY FORM

Walker’s now offers Early Decision for Middle School applicants. Start your process early and apply by November 20 to receive an admission decision by December 1.

Learn More

A student and parent interview is a required part of the application process and allows us the chance to get to know you! On-campus interviews and tours are available Monday through Friday, giving you the opportunity to see our community in action. Your visit will include a student-guided campus tour, followed by a conversation interview between prospective student and an Admission Counselor, and time for parents to connect as well. Plan for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Ready to schedule? Log in to your Walker’s Blackbaud Portal to choose a date and time that works best for your family, or reach out to us directly at admission@ethelwalker.org or +1-860-408-4200. We also offer virtual interviews to our international applicants — reach out via email to schedule!

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: 

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

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:

*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.

Candidates for admission to The Ethel Walker School should apply online using the Standard Application Online (SAO) application.  The completed application is due by January 15 to ensure a March 10 decision and is comprised of the following:

      • Biographic Information
      • Transcript: Submitted directly by school (including current fall term or semester grades)
      • Recommendations: Submitted online by current teachers (Required: School Administrator, English Teacher, and Math Teacher; Optional: Personal and Special Interest)
      • Parent Statement
      • Student Essays/Candidate Statement
      • Graded Writing Sample
      • Standardized Tests: See Step 3 above for more information
      • Application Fee: $65 Domestic, $125 International

Once decisions are sent March 10, you may log in to the Blackbaud portal to check on your application status. Blackbaud login is required and is provided to you at the time of your inquiry or application. A reminder is also sent to all applicants one week prior to the release of decisions.

Congratulations on your acceptance to Walker’s! All accepted students should plan to join us for Revisit Day. All information regarding Revisit Day is contained in your decision letter. Your enrollment contract is located in the Blackbaud Admission Portal and is due by April 10.

*Applications received after January 15 will be considered on a space-available basis.

Here to Help

Pamela Safford ’81

Assistant Head of School for Admission and Enrollment

psafford@ethelwalker.org

Learn More

Early Decision for Middle School Applicants

For the first time in Walker’s 115-year history, we are introducing Middle School Early Decision (ED) as an application option for our younger applicants.

This wasn’t a decision we made lightly. Developmentally, middle schoolers who have already identified Walker’s as their clear first choice — whether through a summer program, a visit day, or simply because they have a gut sense of belonging —benefit enormously from knowing that they’ll have an admission decision by the end of the fall. At an age when so much can feel unsettled, removing the prolonged uncertainty of the admission process allows these girls to spend the winter and spring of their applying year doing what matters most: enjoying themselves, finishing out their current school year well, and mentally preparing for the transition ahead rather than waiting for outcomes!

Offering this Early Decision option allows us, as a school, to provide support of middle school students and their families in areas of academic programming and onboarding — including by attending spring and summer programming — leading to an easier landing for these new 7th and 8th graders when they arrive on campus in the fall.

BENEFITS TO APPLYING ED 

  • Reduce stress and anxiety for student and family
  • Celebrate in December and enjoy special programming throughout the winter, spring, and summer
  • No risk, all benefit
    • Families applying for financial aid may apply now, even as we will also have financial aid available for the regular admission cycle
    • Waitlisted students will have the option to roll into the regular admission cycle

WHO SHOULD APPLY ED?

  • Middle Schoolers for whom Walker’s is their first choice!
  • Anyone interested in knowing sooner rather than later!

NEXT STEPS

September 1–November 30 · Attend an on-campus and/or remote admission event
September 14–November 13 · Schedule a campus visit and interview; begin your application
November 20 · Completed Middle School ED application due
December 1 · ED notification from Walker’s
December 4 · ED Accepted Student Revisit Day
December 14 · Enrollment contract and deposit due

Requirements

Every applicant is asked to submit the following:

  • General Information
  • Student Information and Essay
  • Parent/Guardian Statement
  • English Teacher Recommendation
  • Mathematics Teacher Recommendation
  • School Recommendation
  • Official School Transcript
  • Standardized Testing (see below)
  • A personal interview is required for all applicants. You and your child will meet one on one with one of our Admission Counselors. This element of the application allows us to get to know your child as a person and answer any remaining questions that your family have. To schedule an interview, please call the Office of Admission at +1-860-408-4200.

 

Is testing required to apply to Walker’s? If so, what testing?

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: 

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

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:

*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.