Making Moves at High Road of Wallingford

At the High Road School of Wallingford, designed to nurture students’ academic, social, and behavioral growth, chess is the newest way students are connecting and having fun.

The Birth of a Club

What started as an unstructured recess activity, quickly turned into one of the most popular new offerings at the school. The recently launched Chess Club brings students from grades 3 through 12 together to learn and build relationships.

Christine Hartwich, education director, noticed students were gravitating toward playing chess when they had free time, even challenging staff to friendly matches. “So many students were talking about chess or bringing in their own sets, I figured this club might be a great offering for the High Road School community.”

The school officially launched the Chess Club this spring, offering weekly gatherings during recess. The response was so enthusiastic that staff had to purchase additional boards and are already considering using a second room to accommodate all the players.

More Than a Game

“I was shocked to see how many students wanted to participate,” said Hartwich. “Even students who tend to be more introverted came to play.”

While chess naturally builds logic, patience, and planning skills, the club has also served as an unexpected bridge for social and emotional growth.

“Besides learning how to play chess, thinking ahead, [I] saw others think smarter,” said student AW, who added that they also saw their classmates working together and helping each other.

Student JS noted the positivity when everyone was playing: “They really enjoy it. That’s all I can say.” When asked how he could tell, he added, “They were having conversations and enjoying themselves – primary and high school [students] talking together.”