Attention, eighth graders! Watertown High School is great, but did you know you also have other options?
Are you considering which high school to attend next year? If so, then you are in the right place. This page is dedicated to providing you with information about different high schools.
We asked Mrs. Dorso, our 8th grade counselor, for some information to help us decide which high schools to list here. She provided us with a list of her top choices, which included the following schools: Kaynor Technical High School, Nonnewaug High School, Holy Cross High School, The Taft School, Westover School, Loomis Chaffee, The Gunnery, Avon Old Farms, Cheshire Academy, and Forman School. We have included these schools in our list because they are well-known, have a good reputation, and offer a wide range of academic and extracurricular programs.
Below might be some other factors to read in your choice when deciding a high school.
Costs to apply: There is an entrance exam fee to apply to Holy Cross. Kaynor and Nonnewaug applications are free, but the private schools use a common application and there is a fee for each individual school.
Your grades matter! The types of grades needed to apply depend on the school, but all schools require the student to be in good academic standing. The Taft School is a private boarding school in Watertown, CT. It has a very rich history in our community. Although Taft has a boarding option, there are a large percentage of students who are considered "Day Students" meaning they do not live on campus but live close enough to the school to get driven daily. There is a yearly tuition to attend Taft. The Taft School is very diverse, 21% of the population are international students coming from over 60 countries. Taft has a rigorous academic program that would more than prepare you for any 4-year university. It also offers sports, the arts (music, sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, dance, etc.). It is a multi-disciplinary program with an array of options.
Deadlines: Students get started on the application process during the Fall of 2024. Nonnewaug has a deadline date of early December. Kaynor has a deadline for early January. Private school deadlines vary but typically mid-January.
What to Wear: Kaynor Technical High School is the only school option that has a uniform, which consists of khakis and a polo shirt.
Mrs. Dorso's advice to any 8th grader is to explore all your options. Go to the high school's open house. Have conversations with your parents, school counselor, and/or teachers about your thoughts and interests to find the school that best fits your interests and future goals.