Admission

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WELCOME TO WALKER!

We are a PK3-Grade 12 college-preparatory, independent school in Marietta, Georgia.

At Walker, our admission team is committed to providing families with an authentic, in-depth understanding of our people and our programs. Throughout the admission process, you will have the opportunity to engage with our admission team, our administration and faculty, our students and our parent body. We will provide you with a multitude of perspectives to help you develop a deeper understanding of Walker.

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WHY THE WALKER SCHOOL?

At Walker, we respect the infinite worth of everyone. Through the enthusiastic pursuit of excellence, the school provides clear goals and high expectations for student achievement within a safe and supportive learning environment.

Students discover who they are and develop the skills and flexibility that are necessary to thrive in a changing world. Students, faculty and parents feel a sense of belonging and develop a perspective that embraces diversity and enhances global awareness.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What is the benefit of an independent school education?

As an independent school, Walker challenges students to meet high academic expectations and nurture personal growth. We offer a safe and supportive learning environment, foster a strong sense of community and allow for individualized attention from teachers. Given our size, we present greater access to a variety of extracurricular activities and provide many opportunities for parent involvement.

You can find more information about the value of an independent school education on the NAIS website (National Association for Independent Schools).

How do I apply to The Walker School?

Learn more about applying to Walker on our Application Process page. This page explains what is needed to submit an application for each grade level.

Learn more about applying to our New Avenues Dyslexia Program.

What are the important dates during admission season?
  • October 1, 2024: Applications Open
  • February 7, 2025: Application Deadline
  • April 5, 2025: Enrollment Decisions Communicated

Financial Assistance Application and Supporting Documents Deadlines:

  • October 1, 2024: Applications Open
  • November 30, 2024: Application Deadline for Returning Families
  • February 7, 2025: Application Deadline for New Families

We accept late applications, if space is available. Please call our Admission Team at (678) 540-7229, if you are applying in March or later.

Where is the Admission Office located on campus?
The Admission Office is located in our main building. Visitor parking is designated in the parking lot outside the main building. Visitors should check in at the Front Desk upon arrival. Here are our Campus Map and Directions.
How many new students did you enroll this year?

For the 2024-25 school year, we enrolled approximately 191 new students: 43 in Primary School (including all Early Learners), 40 in Lower School (including New Avenues), 42 in Middle School and 66 in Upper School.

How important is standardized testing in the admission process?

Testing is just one part of the academic credentials. A student’s grades, teacher recommendations, strength of academic program and potential contribution to our community are weighed more heavily than the testing.

Do you offer financial assistance?

Yes. The Walker School seeks to enroll a diverse student body, including families of varying socio-economic backgrounds. No applicant should be deterred from applying for admission due to financial constraints. We are committed to a financial assistance program that makes a Walker education available to qualified applicants.

All financial assistance is based on our assessment of a family’s financial resources. Income and expenses, assets, family size and the number of children attending private schools and colleges are the primary drivers of our assessment. Learn more about affording Walker on our Tuition and Financial Assistance page.

What does a day in the life of a Walker student look like?

Primary & Lower School

Primary School students begin their day at 8 a.m. After unpacking their bag, children enjoy free time in the classroom before moving to the rug for their Morning Meeting. In addition to academic time in the classroom, Primary School students also engage in Music & Movement, Art, Science, Library, T.E.C. Time (Technology, Engineering, & Creativity - P.K. and K), and Spanish classes several times a week. Our youngest Wolverines have the opportunity to travel to different classrooms and experience a variety of teaching styles. We have a full-time counselor dedicated to our Primary School building, who thoughtfully plans structured lessons for each classroom weekly. Children eat lunch in a lunchroom and have several opportunities to play on the playground every day. The school day ends at 2:45 p.m. Our Extended Day Program (EDP) is available until 6 p.m. During EDP, families may choose to register their children for additional extracurricular activities – everything from dance to cooking classes.

Lower School students begin their day at 8 a.m. After unpacking and hearing the morning announcements led by fifth graders, students gather with their homeroom class for Morning Meeting. This is a time to build classroom community between teachers and students. In addition to academic time in the classroom, Lower School students also engage in Art, P.E., Science, Music, Library, Technology, Spanish, and Innovation Lab several times a week. We have a full-time counselor dedicated to our Lower School building, who thoughtfully plans guidance lessons and meets with each classroom on a monthly basis. Children eat lunch in Gatti Hall and have a blast on the playground, where they can enjoy quiet in the garden, play Gaga ball, or just run around and have fun! The school day ends at 2:30 p.m. Our Extended Day Program (EDP) is available until 6 p.m. In addition to EDP, families may register their children for extracurricular activities- everything from yoga to robotics.

Middle & Upper School

Our 7-day rotating schedule reflects Walker’s desire to put the needs of our students first. Being able to see our students at different times of day on different days of the week ensures that we are able to:

  • plan lessons that tackle more difficult concepts during peak learning times
  • even out instructional time across all classes
  • minimize the impact of absences due to illness, field trips, fine arts activities or athletic competitions on a single class

Do you offer advanced courses?

We offer 27 Advanced Placement courses, 10 Honors courses and five post-AP Advanced Topics courses across all disciplines.

Can I attend athletic events and arts performances as a prospective parent?

Absolutely! We recommend coming to see our students in action. Here is our Calendar of Upcoming Events.

Do you offer an after-school program?

Yes, we offer an after-school program.

For Primary and Lower School students: There is an Extended Day Program for an additional fee from the end of the school day until 6 p.m. Families can also register their child for a specific activity.

For Middle School students: There is adult supervision provided for Middle School students in the library until 6 p.m. at no additional cost.

Do you provide transportation to and from school?

We offer two-way bus service with multiple pick-up and drop-off locations in metro Atlanta. We also consider requests to add stops in areas of growth. Please note that bus routes are not always the same from one year to the next and will be scheduled as needed. Transportation availability, forms, and questions should be directed to busing@thewalkerschool.org.

Payment questions should be directed to billing@thewalkerschool.org. Busing is reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If your child is requesting a different stop or needs to have a friend ride the bus with them, please remember to email busing@thewalkerschool.org for approval. This gives us time to make sure space is available and communicate with the drivers.  

For more information about transportation, check out our Transportation page.

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