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 fulfills the team requirement.

Fall

Afternoon Arts

Cross Country (T)

Crosstrain

Dance Companies (T)

Field Hockey (T)

Riding (T)+^

Soccer (T)

Volleyball (T)

Middle School Soccer

Winter

Afternoon Arts

Basketball (T)

Dance Companies (T)

Personal Fitness

Riding (T)+^

Robotics

Skiing (T)+

Squash (T)

Swimming (T)

Winter Play (T)

Yoga

Middle School Basketball

Note: Co-curriculars are subject to enrollment. (T) Team credit

+ Additional fees apply

Spring

Afternoon Arts

Dance Classes

Golf (T)

Lacrosse (T)

Personal Fitness

Riding (T)+^

Softball (T)

Spring Musical (T)

Tennis (T)

Middle School Lacrosse

^ 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.

Individual Offerings

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 crosstraining 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.

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.

CO-CURRICULARS AND ATHLETICS

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 everyday 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.

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 9-12

Winter season

Credit: Co-Curricular

Beginning in mid-November, cast members rehearse a play which is presented to the community in midFebruary. Anyone who wants to join the cast is welcome 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 6-12

Spring season

Credit: Co-Curricular

The Theater, 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 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.

Afternoon Arts Concentration

Open to students only with approval

Credit: Co-Curricular

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. Students are eligible for this co-curricular only to complete a portfolio for the college application process.