Boarding School Review - Established 2003

The Ethel Walker School

230 Bushy Hill Road Simsbury CT 06070
Tel: (860) 408-4200
www.ethelwalker.org

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 7-12, PG
  • Grades: (Day Students) 6-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 226 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $72,900
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $52,000
  • Acceptance rate: 47%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
The Ethel Walker School Photo #1 - Beaver Brook Building - This building houses many of our academic classes as well as administrative offices, meeting spaces, art rooms, and our computer lab.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #2 - Seniors on Graduation - Seniors pose in front of the Chapel steps for a fun photo in celebration of their graduation.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #3 - Community Partnerships - Students are required to participate in a community partnership program each year. This student is working on a portrait for The Memory Project.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #4 - Dorm Life - Students gather around the common area in our newest dorm to hang out, study, watch Netflix, and even bake!
The Ethel Walker School Photo #5 - Hands-on Learning and Group Work
The Ethel Walker School Photo #6 - Engaging in Class Discussions and Class Work
The Ethel Walker School Photo #7 - Our 75-acre campus makes it ideal for a nice trail ride around the property after a lesson or as a nice change of scenery after a recent show. Riding is offered all year round and available to riders of all levels.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #8 - Dancers enjoying our new studios with sprung floors and wall-to-wall mirrors. Dance is offered all three seasons at various levels, including Walker's own dance company, Dance Workshop.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #9 - Skiiers coming off the mountain after a successful race at Ski Sundown.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #10 - Dogswood Day is one of the many times we embrace our spirit tradition of the Suns (dressed in yellow, red, and orange) and the Dials (dressed in purple, pink, and blue). Currently, the Dials are the reigning champions!
230 Bushy Hill Road
Simsbury, CT 06070
Tel: (860) 408-4200
www.ethelwalker.org
Submit a Review
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The Ethel Walker School Photo #1 - Beaver Brook Building - This building houses many of our academic classes as well as administrative offices, meeting spaces, art rooms, and our computer lab.
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The Ethel Walker School Photo #1 - Beaver Brook Building - This building houses many of our academic classes as well as administrative offices, meeting spaces, art rooms, and our computer lab.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #2 - Seniors on Graduation - Seniors pose in front of the Chapel steps for a fun photo in celebration of their graduation.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #3 - Community Partnerships - Students are required to participate in a community partnership program each year. This student is working on a portrait for The Memory Project.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #4 - Dorm Life - Students gather around the common area in our newest dorm to hang out, study, watch Netflix, and even bake!
The Ethel Walker School Photo #5 - Hands-on Learning and Group Work
The Ethel Walker School Photo #6 - Engaging in Class Discussions and Class Work
The Ethel Walker School Photo #7 - Our 75-acre campus makes it ideal for a nice trail ride around the property after a lesson or as a nice change of scenery after a recent show. Riding is offered all year round and available to riders of all levels.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #8 - Dancers enjoying our new studios with sprung floors and wall-to-wall mirrors. Dance is offered all three seasons at various levels, including Walker's own dance company, Dance Workshop.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #9 - Skiiers coming off the mountain after a successful race at Ski Sundown.
The Ethel Walker School Photo #10 - Dogswood Day is one of the many times we embrace our spirit tradition of the Suns (dressed in yellow, red, and orange) and the Dials (dressed in purple, pink, and blue). Currently, the Dials are the reigning champions!
The Ethel Walker School is an independent, college preparatory, boarding and day school for girls in grades six through 12 plus a postgraduate year.
Boarding is offered for students in grades seven through twelve, including Post Graduate students.
Since 1911, The Ethel Walker School has excelled at preparing students to make a difference in the world.
Members of this diverse community are dedicated to scholarship, the arts, athletics, wellness, and service.
The satisfaction of achievement and joy of friendship are fundamental principles as the School empowers girls to lead with integrity, respect, confidence, courage, conviction and a love of learning.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 7-12, PG
  • Grades: (Day Students) 6-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 226 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $72,900
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $52,000
  • Acceptance rate: 47%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Ethel Walker School ranks among the top 10 schools with 200-400 students (out of 107 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
Most extracurriculars offered

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2025 School Data
The Ethel Walker School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
7-12, PG
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
6-12, PG
Pre-K-12
School Type
All-girls
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1911
1909
Campus Size
175 acres
125 acres
School Motto
Truth and Honor

Student Body

Enrollment
226 students
300 students
% Students of Color
31%
25%
% International Students
30%
20%
% Students Boarding
54%
70%
Average SAT Score
1221
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
12
17
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
88%
70%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
12
17
Courses
Advanced BiologyAdvanced Calculus
Advanced Calculus - 2Advanced Computer Science
Advanced EconomicsAdvanced English - Literature and Medicine
Advanced Human GeographyAdvanced Latin; Vergil
Advanced PhysicsAdvanced Psychology
Advanced SpanishAdvanced U.S. History

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$35.5 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$72,900
(Boarding Domestic — $72,900)
$59,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$52,000
(Middle School Day — $43,000 Upper School Day — $52,000)
$33,500
Tuition international students
$75,900
$53,975
% Students on Financial Aid
56%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$35,000
$25,000

Admissions

Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Acceptance Rate
47%
58%
Director of Admissions
Pamela Safford
Associate Director of Admissions
Colin Griggs
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
16
16
Sports
Alpine SkiingBasketball
Cross CountryDance
EquestrianField Hockey
GolfLacrosse
RidingSoccer
SoftballSquash
SwimmingTennis
Ultimate FrisbeeVolleyball
Colors
Purple, Yellow

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
43
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Amnesty InternationalAnime Club
Art for CharityAsian Club
Astronomy ClubBee Club
Black Student Union (BSU)CHANGE Club
Cicerone SocietyCooking Club
Daemon Club (Art & Literary Magazine)Dance Club
Debate ClubFilm Society
Forte EnsembleFuture Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
Gifts from the HeartHabitat for Humanity
Justice LeagueLASO (Latin American Student Organization)
Middle School Garden ClubMulticultural Society
Pepperpot (Yearbook)Photography Club
Random Acts of KindnessRobotics Club (The Wirecats)
Self Defense and Martial Art ClubStep Club
The Wave CafeWalker's Wheelers
Wings (Gender and Sexuality Alliance)


Arts and Music Programs:
African DrummingChoir
Choristers (Middle School)Gospel Choir
Grapes a cappellaGuitar Society
Harmonious BellsOrchestra
Voce Felice


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Outdoor AdventurePersonal Fitness
Yoga

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
Boston University
29
UConn
22
Bates College
13
Suffolk University
13
Trinity College
13
Mount Holyoke College
12
New York University
12
Northeastern University
12
Southern Methodist University
10
Skidmore College
9
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • The Ethel Walker School is far more than a traditional all-girls school. It is a place where mentor educators galvanize students to harness their creative energies and embark on lives of impact.Unconstrained by gender-biased thinking, Walker's students are encouraged to test boundaries in the classroom, on the fields, on stage, and in pursuit of knowledge. And, they embrace that knowledge to build their affluence of mind through a visionary academic approach.Together, in a community where each individual is supported as they define their perspective and explore new vantage points, students revel in the confluence of spirit that is generated from this joyful nexus of connection, collaboration, and creation. While at Walker's, students are inspired to lead with confidence and conviction. This strength will imbue each graduate throughout their life. Walker's alumnae carry themselves with grace and a certainty that empowers them to influence and inspire.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Sarah Prager '04, LGBTQIA+ author and activist -
    • Emma Simon '89, Managing Director at Virtus Investment Partners -
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Ethel Walker School cost?
The Ethel Walker School's tuition is approximately $72,900 for boarding students and $52,000 for day students.
What schools are The Ethel Walker School often compared to?
The Ethel Walker School is often viewed alongside schools like Miss Porter's School by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of The Ethel Walker School?
The acceptance rate of The Ethel Walker School is 47%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 58%.
Who are famous alumni from The Ethel Walker School?
The Ethel Walker School famous alumni include: Sarah Prager '04, LGBTQIA+ author and activist and Emma Simon '89, Managing Director at Virtus Investment Partners.
What sports does The Ethel Walker School offer?
The Ethel Walker School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Riding, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.
What is The Ethel Walker School's ranking?
The Ethel Walker School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for The Ethel Walker School?
The application deadline for The Ethel Walker School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 7-12, PG
  • Grades: (Day Students) 6-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 226 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $72,900
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $52,000
  • Acceptance rate: 47%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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