Co-Curriculars and Athletics

All students are required to participate in an afternoon co-curricular during each of the three seasons (fall, winter and spring) during the academic year. Each student will select from a variety of offerings every season, and the student must participate in at least one team activity per year. Membership on two seasons of dance companies will fulfill the team requirement.

Fall

Cross Country (T) Crosstrain Dance Classes Dance Companies (T) Field Hockey (T) Riding (T)^+ Soccer (T) Volleyball (T) MS Skill Development MS Soccer

Winter

Basketball (T) Dance Classes Dance Companies (T) Personal Fitness Riding (T)^+ Robotics Skiing (T)+ Squash (T) Swimming (T) Winter Play (T) Yoga MS Basketball MS Play

Spring

Dance Classes Golf (T) Lacrosse (T) Hiking Personal Fitness Riding (T)^+ Softball (T) Spring Musical (T) Tennis (T) MS Skill Development

Note: Co-curriculars are subject to enrollment. (T) Team credit + Additional fees apply ^ Riding will count as a team sport if the student works at or competes in at least one show

AND completes assigned barn hours during that season. Varsity riders must represent

Walker’s and show with a Walker’s trainer in at least two shows (IEA or USEF) that season.

Participation in riding lessons will not fulfill the team requirement.

CROSSTRAIN

Open to Grades 10-12; Grade 9 students with permission; Priority by seniority Fall season Credit: Athletics Students will learn and practice the techniques that have made cross training a popular style of workout option throughout the world. Students will practice proper weight-lifting techniques and learn different ways to enhance their cardiovascular abilities.

PERSONAL FITNESS

Open to Grades 9-12; priority by seniority Winter and spring seasons Credit: Athletics This course is designed to teach the basic components of fitness and to assist a student in designing an individual workout program. Students will develop greater understanding of the role fitness components play in managing overall health-related fitness. Activities include fitness assessment and work on both aerobic and strength training equipment.

HIKING

Open to Grades: 9-12 Spring season Credit: Athletics Students will take hikes into the woods extending from our school campus and beyond, into the beautiful rural countryside. In addition to regular physical exercise, hikers can expect to learn about and sketch the flora and fauna of our natural environment here in Connecticut. Stewardship of this landscape, pressing ecological concerns, and our human position within the natural world will be discussed on our daily walks together.

YOGA

Open to Grades: 9-12 Winter season Credit: Athletics Students will explore yoga postures, philosophy and learn the therapeutic benefits of yoga. Activities will include yoga, dance and movement. Students will explore yoga postures and poses called asanas and move through vinyasas, sequences created to address specific areas of the body and state of mind. The physical practice will help increase flexibility and strength. Pranayama, or breathing techniques, will be taught and practiced to help with stress reduction and nourishing the body. Yogic philosophy and history will also be included, as well as an introduction to meditation. Some types of yoga that will be explored include vinyasa, restorative, gentle, Yin, and Kundalini along with others.

DANCE

Open to Grades 6-12 Fall, winter, and spring seasons for beginner to advanced levels Credit: Athletics Dance classes at all levels are offered throughout the year with ballet, modern, jazz, and composition offered each season. Other dance forms including tap, contemporary, and hip-hop, are also offered each season.

ATHLETIC TRAINING

Open to Grades 9-12; an interest in Athletic Training is helpful Fall, winter, and spring seasons Credit: Athletics Students will learn and practice different wraps using ace bandages, different tape jobs and what they are used for, wound care, proper stretching and foam rolling techniques. They will assist the athletic trainer with every day training room tasks, such as preparing ice bags and heat packs for athletes, stocking med kits, filling ice chests and water jugs, and laundry. The athletic training option is Monday through Saturday, due to weekend competitions.

AFTERNOON ARTS CONCENTRATION

Open to Grades 10-12 The Afternoon Art Concentration is for the students who want to pursue a career in the field of the arts and need extra time to prepare and/or enhance their art portfolio for the competitive college admission process. Students will be mentored by professionals in their field of study on and off campus (depending on their field of study) in order to gain instrumental experience, expand their knowledge, and hone their skills. Each student is required to complete their projects, culminating the term with an exhibition and oral presentation to the school’s community.

DANCE WORKSHOP

Open to Grades 9-12 Fall and winter season commitment Credit: Athletics Dance Workshop is the advanced-level dance company at Walker’s. Students are selected during placement classes at the beginning of the year and must commit to dance for the fall and winter seasons. Dance Workshop members take daily advanced-level technique classes in ballet, modern, jazz, character, and stretch and strengthen. These classes are supplemented with weekly rehearsals for student, faculty, and guest artist choreography. Senior members of Dance Workshop take choreography classes and run their own rehearsals. Dance Workshop performs in the annual Winter Dance Concert.

DANCE ENSEMBLE

Open to Grades 6-12 Fall and winter season commitment Credit: Athletics Dance Ensemble is the high-intermediate level dance company at Walker’s. Students are selected during placement classes at the beginning of the year and must commit to dance for the fall and winter seasons. Dance Ensemble members take daily intermediate level technique classes in ballet, modern, jazz, and character. This group also has the opportunity to work with guest artists and they perform in the annual Winter Dance Concert.

GENERAL ENROLLMENT DANCE

Open to Grades 6-12 Fall, winter, and spring seasons Credit: Athletics These classes are open to students at any level of dance from beginner to advanced. Students take classes in ballet, modern, jazz, and composition. Winter dance also counts towards the team sport requirement as it includes a performance.

WINTER PLAY

Open to Grades 6-12 Winter season Credit: Co-Curricular Beginning in mid-November, cast members rehearse a play which is presented to the community in mid-February. Anyone who wants to join the cast is welcome to, as there are no cuts made for the productions and the purpose of auditions is to assign roles. Past productions have included Twelve Angry Women, Our Town, She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers’ Edition, Animal Farm, All in the Timing, and Rope. By audition.

SPRING MUSICAL

Open to Grades 9-12 Spring season Credit: Co-Curricular The Theatre, Music, and Dance Departments collaborate on a full-scale musical that is presented to the community in May. Anyone who wants to join the cast is welcome to, as there are no cuts made for the productions and the purpose of auditions is to assign roles. The goal of the theater department is to take the musical cast on an annual trip to a Broadway show. Students have taken master classes with Broadway performers, have had Q&As with cast members, and Broadway professionals have attended Walker’s spring musical dress rehearsals. Recent productions include Chicago: High School Edition, Hairspray, Sister Act, and Little Shop of Horrors. By audition.

MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATER PRODUCTION

Open to Grades 6-8 Winter season Credit: Co-Curricular During the winter months, cast members rehearse a theatrical production to be presented to the community in early March. Anyone who wants to join the cast is welcome to, as there are no cuts made for the productions and the purpose of auditions is to assign roles. Past productions have included Into the Woods Jr., The Haunting of ChipLake Lodge, The Secret Garden, The Jungle Book, The Lady Pirates of Captain Bree, The Hobbit, Wonderland and Robin Hood. By audition.