Ethel Walker School
The Ethel Walker School | |
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Location | |
United States | |
Coordinates | 41°50′59″N 72°50′08″W / 41.8497°N 72.8356°WCoordinates: 41°50′59″N 72°50′08″W / 41.8497°N 72.8356°W |
Information | |
Type | A private, college preparatory, boarding and day school for girls in grades 6 through 12 plus postgraduate located in Simsbury, Connecticut. |
Motto | Nullas Horas Nisi Aureas "Nothing But Golden Hours" |
Established | 1911 by Ethel Walker |
Head of School | Meera Viswanathan |
Grades | 6-12 plus postgraduate |
Gender | Girls |
Number of students | 250 |
Average class size | 12 |
Student to teacher ratio | 1:7 |
Campus size | 175 acres |
Color(s) | Purple and Yellow |
Website | www |
The Ethel Walker School, also commonly referred to as “Walker’s”, is a private, college preparatory, boarding and day school for girls in grades 6 through 12 plus postgraduate located in Simsbury, Connecticut.
History[]
Founded in 1911, the school was one of the first college preparatory schools for girls in the United States. The school sits on 175 acres (0.71 km2), abutting 425 acres (1.72 km2) of preserved land. The area is surrounded by forest and residential areas.
The Ethel Walker School was originally located in Lakewood, New Jersey, before being moved in 1917 to its present location on the former Dodge Estate in Simsbury, Connecticut.[1] The school's founder, Ethel Walker, was interested in creating one of the first girls' college preparatory schools, as an alternative to the finishing schools that were then in vogue for upper-class girls. The school seeks to provide an environment designed for girls to discover and develop their intellectual, artistic, athletic and leadership talents. Teaching girls to lead with "confidence, conviction and courage" is a consistent theme, from the school's mission to its curriculum.
Curriculum[]
Academics at Walker's, as the school is commonly known, consist of small class sizes and many advanced, skills-based courses. The curriculum is diverse and allows room for innovation by faculty. Many classrooms are set up in a style to encourage conversation and communication. The Ethel Walker School's symbol is the sundial, although for athletics Wally the Wildcat has been adopted as a mascot. The school's motto is Nullas Horas Nisi Aureas which translates to "Nothing But Golden Hours". One hundred percent of Walker's graduates continue to four-year colleges, with many receiving post-graduate degrees.
Arts[]
The arts are an integral part of the curricular and co-curricular content at the school, with choices including oil painting, drawing, pottery, sculpture, digital photography, theatre, music and dance. Performing arts groups perform regularly both on and off campus.
Athletics[]
In keeping with Miss Walker's conviction that exercise was essential for success in academics, all Walker's students participate in extracurricular sports, dance, or the arts. The Varsity Soccer, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Basketball and Field Hockey teams have all won their divisions over the past several years, and the school competes in the prestigious Founders League as well as numerous athletic leagues, such as NEPSAC and WNEPPSA. Athletic offerings include multiple levels of lacrosse, volleyball, field hockey, soccer, basketball, softball, golf, tennis, squash, swimming and skiing. Outdoor Adventure, personal fitness, dance and the performing arts are offered to supplement competitive athletics.
Ethel Walker is also recognized for its world-class equestrian program,[2][3] with students competing at both regional and national levels. The equestrian program has been an integral part of the school since its founding. The school's grounds include miles of horse trails, a full cross-country course, a large outdoor arena, indoor arena, spacious turnout, and large barn.
Notable Alumnae[]
- Frances Beinecke, President of the National Resources Defense Council
- Juanin Clay, actress
- Ethel du Pont, heiress and socialite[4]
- Mimi Gardner Gates, art historian, Director Emeritus of Seattle Art Museum and Yale University Art Gallery
- Judith Peabody, socialite and philanthropist
- Angela "Annie" Peavy, member of the U.S. Para-Dressage Team at the 2016 Olympics
- Georgia B. Ridder
- Mary L. Trump, clinical psychologist, businessperson, and author.[5]
- Sigourney Weaver, actress
- Elizabeth Van Rensselaer Delafield, artist
- Abra Prentice Wilkin, philanthropist
- Melinda Wortz, art professor, gallery director
- Sarah Johnson Redlich, film producer
- Ariana Rockefeller, model and fashion designer[6]
- Farahnaz Pahlavi, Princess of Pahlavi Iran, daughter of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi[7]
Notes[]
1. Federal Writers' Project. Connecticut: A Guide to Its Roads, Lore and People. US History Publishers. p. 498. ISBN 978-1-60354-007-0. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
2. "The Ethel Walker School Appoints Champion as Equestrian Head Trainer". The Chronicle of the Horse,. September 2, 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
3. "Ethel Walker School appoints equestrian trainer". foothillsmediagroup.com,. August 20, 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010
- ^ "SON OF PRESIDENT TO WED MISS DUPONT Troth of Ethel, Wilmington Heiress, to Franklin Jr. Is Made Known. WEDDING SET FOR JUNE Fiance, Student at Harvard, to Remain There Until After His Graduation. THE PRESIDENT'S SON AND HIS FIANCEE ROOSEVELT JR. WINS MISS ETHEL DU PONT". The New York Times. November 15, 1936. Retrieved 14 August 2016.[verification needed]
- ^ Citation error. See inline comment how to fix.[verification needed]
- ^ Citation error. See inline comment how to fix.[verification needed]
- ^ "SON OF PRESIDENT TO WED MISS DUPONT Troth of Ethel, Wilmington Heiress, to Franklin Jr. Is Made Known. WEDDING SET FOR JUNE Fiance, Student at Harvard, to Remain There Until After His Graduation. THE PRESIDENT'S SON AND HIS FIANCEE ROOSEVELT JR. WINS MISS ETHEL DU PONT". The New York Times. November 15, 1936. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
- ^ , Wikipedia, 2020-07-08, retrieved 2020-07-08
- ^ "Rockefeller Style". Observer. 2014-05-28. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
- ^ "National News Briefs". UPI. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
External links[]
- Private high schools in Connecticut
- Girls' schools in Connecticut
- Preparatory schools in Connecticut
- Boarding schools in Connecticut
- Buildings and structures in Simsbury, Connecticut
- Schools in Hartford County, Connecticut
- Private middle schools in Connecticut
- 1911 establishments in Connecticut