The Walker School

The Walker School
Location
Marietta, Georgia
Information
Type private school

The Walker School, formerly known as the Joseph T. Walker School, is located on Cobb Parkway (U.S. 41) in Marietta, Georgia, in what was originally Sprayberry High School. The school, considered to be one of the state's pre-eminent private schools,[1] was founded in 1957 as the St. James Day School at St. James Episcopal Church near the Marietta square. In 1972 the school became an independent body as the Joseph T. Walker School. The school's mission statement is "[To] provide an excellent college-preparatory education in a nurturing environment that values personal integrity, that prizes creativity, and that inspires the lifelong love of learning." The Walker School serves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade at the same location.

Contents

Awards and recognition

The Walker School magazine, Pegasus, was recognized in both 1986 and 1988 as a Silver Crown Magazine by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.[2][3] In 1988, the magazine was awarded in five separate categories, including for Fiction, Cover Design (two or more colors), Title and Contents Page, Spread Design, Graphics and for Typography (both Lettering and Calligraphy, as well as Logos and Endmarks).[3] In 1985, 1991 and 1994, Pegasus was recognized as a Scholastic Circle Recipient by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Overall Design.[4][5][6]

The school's 2005 valedictorian, Grace Lu, was designated a Presidential Scholar, a program established in "1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors".[7][8] Lu was one of only two students selected in the state of Georgia out of a maximum of 141 students chosen nationwide.[9]

The 2007 valedictorian, Sarah O'Donohue, won the Georgia Latin Student of the year award and was also featured in the Marietta Daily Journal in "A Statistical Quagmire", discussing SAT scores and how the media uses statistics to give deceptive analysis of reports. A student at the school was one of ten students recognized nationwide by the 2006 Prudential Spirit of Community Award, for his efforts organizing a fundraiser to help pay for reconstructive surgery.[10]

Sports

Student Chris Rodrigues was a four-time state wrestling champion at 125 pounds (57 kg) and part of the 2000 Asics Tiger High School All-American Team.[11] In 2008, Walker won the state titles in girls tennis(2nd in a row), boys soccer, and girls soccer in a matter of 2 and 1/2 days. In 2009, the girls soccer team won state again for the second time in a row defeating The Lovett School. In 2010, the girls soccer team won state again for the third time in a row defeating Blessed Trinity Catholic High School

Student Jason Suway was a one-time state tennis champion at 125 pounds and part of the 2004 state championship team. In 2004, Walker won the state title in boys tennis, with members, Doug Perrin, Michael Locandro, Jason Suway, Brad Smith, Michael Daniel, Aaron Kramer, and JD Ludwig.

Student Mark Johnson was a three-time state champion in curling at 125 pounds and a part of the 2001 state championship team.

In 2011, wrestler Alec Diamond won state at weight class 135. Prior to winning state, Alec placed second for two consecutive years (2009 and 2010).

References

  1. ^ "The Walker School Attracts Ivy League Academic to Oversee Its Lower School; University of Pennsylvania's Assistant Professor to Join as Principal, Business Wire, May 18, 2006
  2. ^ 1986 Scholastic Crown Recipients, accessed April 30, 2007.
  3. ^ a b 1988 Scholastic Crown Recipients, accessed April 30, 2007.
  4. ^ 1985 Scholastic Circle Recipients, accessed April 30, 2007.
  5. ^ 1991 Scholastic Circle Recipients, accessed April 30, 2007.
  6. ^ 1994 Scholastic Circle Recipients, accessed April 30, 2007
  7. ^ Murrin, Erin J. "Valedictorian only girl in Georgia to earn Presidential Scholar award", Marietta Daily Journal, may 31, 2005, accessed April 30, 2007. "And this year, the only female student in Georgia to receive the prestigious 2005 Presidential Scholar award was Grace Lu, a recently graduate from The Walker School in Marietta."
  8. ^ Presidential Scholars Program, United States Department of Education, accessed April 30, 2007.
  9. ^ 2005 Scholars, Presidential Scholars Program, accessed April 30, 2007.
  10. ^ "Two Georgia Youth Honored for Volunteerism at National Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.; Actor Ted Danson and Olympic Champion Joey Cheek Pay Tribute to Young Heroes as part of Four-Day Recognition Events", Business Wire, May 8, 2006, accessed April 30, 2007. "Two Georgia students, Sydney McRee, 15, of Milledgeville and Ryan Ernstes, 13, of Canton were honored in the nation's capital last night for their outstanding volunteer work during the presentation of The 2006 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.... Ryan, a graduate of the 2012 class at The Walker School in Marietta, organized a five-kilometer "Hot Lips Hustle" race that raised $4,500 to pay for reconstructive surgery for 18 needy children with cleft lips or palates."
  11. ^ "2000 Asics Tiger High School All-American Team announced", The Guillotine, June 20, 2000

External links