Watkinson School

180 Bloomfield Avenue

Hartford, CT 06105

9 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 22, 2021

The school has literally changed my daughter's life. She came in with a very large gap in her math abilities--and she came from one of the "best" school districts in Connecticut. What a refreshing change to have a school that not only "gets' my daughter, but finds opportunities for her to demonstrate mastery of a subject vs. taking and preparing for mind-numbing standardized tests. The teachers and administrators are superb, caring, committed, bright, and responsive. The small student body can pose some problems (you better be able to get along with people) but it also affords deep friendships to develop. If you equate academic rigor/success with hours and hours of homework and high standardized test scores, this is not the school for your child. If, however, you believe in "going deep" and finding evaluation and testing methods that demonstrate real depth of understanding, you should check out Watkinson. My daughter is now a senior at DePaul University. I honestly think that Watkinson was a large part of preparing her for the successful college experience that she's had.
Submitted by other on December 08, 2021

Watkinson is an amazing community. It provides an exceptional, personalized education for each child, allowing them to grow and thrive in a safe environment that encourages risk taking and values depth over breadth. Our local community and our greater society need more places like Watkinson. If you want a middle and high school experience for your child that will help them become a thoughtful, considerate, and confident individual and will ensure that they have the tools to continue to succeed in their tertiary schooling and career, check out Watkinson. You won't regret it!
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2021

I am a parent of two girls that currently and formally attended Watkinson School. It is fantastic. Coming from the Glastonbury Public school system, both my kids felt lost and ignored socially and academically. Watkinson provided the gateway to make them feel at home from the very first step on campus. This school teaches not for a standardized public system, but rather gives them a gateway to critical thinking, social confidence as well as a complete college-prep curriculum. It is diverse, it is warm and it will save you from teaching at home your child. It offers opportunities in music, sports, theater, and almost any club you can think of. If they don't have it, your child can create it. The class size is on average 10 to 15 kids. Your child is taught on an individual level. I know private schools may be expensive, but to me my investment in my children's education and happiness is priceless. Watkinson will fit that choice.
Submitted by student on September 04, 2017

I go here and my imagination runs wild, it's just overall a great school.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2014

We have two children who attend Watkinson. Each one has their own style of learning, studying, social experiences and interests. The Watkinson faculty and staff create an environment which allows them to grow and become the person they are meant to be. We have lots of options in our area and truly found the best one for our family!
Submitted by other on July 02, 2013

Well, Watkinson is a great school, but if you are looking to go to a school away from cliques, this is not the place. There is still bullying. Anyway it is okay and go if you want.
Submitted by other on November 27, 2010

I am a senior at watkinson and I have had my ups and downs with the school. Sure, I have faced challenges making friends and with a few of the teachers, but to be honest, most of my problems at watkinson were my fault. Once i decided to break out of my shell, I met the most wonderful people imaginable. My advisor is the closest thing to a father I have ever had and my basketball coach is always there to push me. I made my closest friends at watkinson and will be extremely sad to leave this all behind in June, even though I know I will always have connection to the school. Being at Watkinson has given me a glimpse of what it is like to truly be loved by pretty much everyone around you. All the teachers know me and I know all of them, same with the kids. Watkinson is what you make of it. Dont listen to the negatives, and be wary of the positives. Just remember: Watkinson is what you make of it. i just know ill forever be in debt to the faculty at Watkinson for placing me on the right path to happiness and success--JMC
Submitted by other on November 12, 2010

As an alumnus from the 1970's who can both look back with reflection, as well as assess the school as a current supporter and as a parent (in another area) my still unchanged view about this school/community is that it is very much organized, to an unusual extent, around the student--and is very progressive in this regard. Watkinson has a very enlightened view of young adults and is somewhat "libertarian" in its relationship to the student body. It is especially, although by no means exclusively, organized very strongly for students in the creative or performing arts (music, dance, theatre, studio art) and its long-standing affiliation with the Hartt College of Music, for example, one of the finest such colleges in the country, is very unique. The school administration and leadership are utterly devoted to their community, mission and success and Watkinson has evolved smartly over the decades. This is really a luxury institution, in the highest sense of that word, and while I live in the midwest and Watkinson is not an option for my kids, I often ruminate about moving to Bloomfield Avenue and parking myself and the family there so they could go!
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2010

Watkinson's mission is "Giving students the power to shape their lives and world around them." They live this mission everyday by guiding students, teaching them, and learning from them. By showing the students respect in the course of learning, they model the power of interactive learning opportunities. Watkinson's curriculum is given strength by their philosophy of self-discovery and respect for all.
Submitted by student on September 07, 2007

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