Ethel Walker School
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The Ethel Walker School, also commonly referred to as “Walker’s”, is a
private Private or privates may refer to: Music * " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...
,
college preparatory A college-preparatory school (usually shortened to preparatory school or prep school) is a type of secondary school. The term refers to public, private independent or parochial schools primarily designed to prepare students for higher education ...
, boarding and
day school A day school — as opposed to a boarding school — is an educational institution where children and adolescents are given instructions during the day, after which the students return to their homes. A day school has full-day programs when compar ...
for girls in grades 6 through 12 plus
postgraduate Postgraduate or graduate education refers to academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate ( bachelor's) degree. The organization and stru ...
located in
Simsbury, Connecticut Simsbury is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 24,517 at the 2020 census. The town was incorporated as Connecticut's 21st town in May 1670. History Early history At the beginning of the 17th century, the ...
.


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 Lakewood Township is the most populous township in Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. A rapidly growing community as of the 2020 U.S. census, the township had a total population of 135,158 representing an increase of 41,415 (+45.5% ...
, before being moved in 1917 to its present location on the former Dodge Estate in Simsbury, Connecticut. The school's founder, Ethel Walker, was interested in creating one of the first girls' college preparatory schools, as an alternative to the
finishing school A finishing school focuses on teaching young women social graces and upper-class cultural rites as a preparation for entry into society. The name reflects that it follows on from ordinary school and is intended to complete the education, wit ...
s that were then in vogue for upper-class girls.


Curriculum

Academics at Walker's include many advanced, skills-based courses. Class sizes are small and 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".


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 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. Walker's is also recognized for its world-class
equestrian The word equestrian is a reference to equestrianism, or horseback riding, derived from Latin ' and ', "horse". Horseback riding (or Riding in British English) Examples of this are: * Equestrian sports *Equestrian order, one of the upper classes i ...
program, 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 horse trails, a cross-country course, indoor and outdoor arenas, a turnout, and a barn.


Notable alumnae

*
Frances Beinecke Frances G. Beinecke (born August 2, 1949) is an environmental activist and politician. She served as the former president of the Natural Resources Defense Council from 2006 to 2015. Early life and education Beinecke is the youngest of four child ...
, President of the National Resources Defense Council *
Juanin Clay Juanin Clay (born Juanin Clay de Zalduondo; November 26, 1949 – March 12, 1995) was an American actress whose films included ''WarGames'' and ''The Legend of the Lone Ranger''. Career Clay was a contender for the role of Wilma Deering in '' Bu ...
, actress *
Ethel du Pont Ethel du Pont Roosevelt-Warren (January 30, 1916 – May 25, 1965) was an American heiress and socialite and a member of the prominent du Pont family. She is known for her widely publicized marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., son of the ...
, heiress and socialite *
Mimi Gardner Gates Mary "Mimi" Gates (née Gardner; born July 30, 1943) is an American art historian who is the recent director of the Seattle Art Museum. In 1996, she married Bill Gates Sr., the father of Bill Gates. Career Gates holds a B.A. degree in art histo ...
, art historian, Director Emeritus of Seattle Art Museum and Yale University Art Gallery *
Judith Peabody Judith Anne Peabody (née Walker, formerly Dunnington; May 6, 1930 – July 25, 2010) was an American socialite and philanthropist who was best known for her involvement as a volunteer with causes ranging from the legal defense of Lenny Bruce ...
, 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. *
Sigourney Weaver Susan Alexandra "Sigourney" Weaver (; born October 8, 1949) is an American actress. A figure in science fiction and popular culture, she has received various accolades, including a British Academy Film Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Gram ...
, actress *
Abra Prentice Wilkin Abra Prentice Wilkin (born July 30, 1942) is an American philanthropist. She is the daughter of John Rockefeller Prentice (1902–1972) and his wife, Abbie Cantrill Prentice. Wilkin is a great-granddaughter of Standard Oil tycoon John D. Rocke ...
, philanthropist *
Melinda Wortz Melinda Wortz (April 30, 1940 – February 6, 2002) was an art historian, art critic, gallery director, and art collector based in Southern California. Early life and education Melinda Jane Farris was born in 1940, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her fat ...
, art professor, gallery director *
Ariana Rockefeller Ariana Rockefeller (born May 26, 1982) is an American heiress, model and amateur equestrian. She is a granddaughter of banker David Rockefeller, a great-granddaughter of financier John D. Rockefeller Jr., and a great-great-granddaughter of John D ...
, model and fashion designer *
Farahnaz Pahlavi Farahnaz Pahlavi ( fa, فرحناز پهلوی; born 12 March 1963) is the eldest daughter of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi by his third wife, Farah Diba. Education She studied at the Niavaran Special School in Tehran, the Ethel Walker School in Sim ...
, Princess of
Pahlavi Iran The Imperial State of Iran ( fa, کشور شاهنشاهی ایران, ), also known as the Imperial State of Persia, was the official name of the Iranian state under the rule of the Pahlavi dynasty. It was formed in 1925 and lasted until 197 ...
, daughter of
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi , title = Shahanshah Aryamehr Bozorg Arteshtaran , image = File:Shah_fullsize.jpg , caption = Shah in 1973 , succession = Shah of Iran , reign = 16 September 1941 – 11 February 1979 , coronation = 26 October ...


References


External links

* {{authority control 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