Milton Academy cultivates in its students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Embracing diversity and the pursuit of excellence, we create a community in which individuals develop competence, confidence and character. Our active learning environment, in and out of the classroom, develops creative and critical thinkers, unafraid to express their ideas, prepared to seek meaningful lifetime success and to live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”
Charted in 1798, Milton is a visionary and bold school, yet our School’s oldest values are the most enduring. Adopted in 1898, Milton’s motto resounds in the minds and hearts of today’s students and graduates. Often cited by both faculty and students as the litmus test for word or action, “Dare to be true” not only states a core value, it describes Milton’s culture. Milton believes that a vital and effective community is built on individuals’ self-confidence and shared respect. We do our best to foster an atmosphere of intellectual freedom, and we encourage initiative and the open exchange of ideas. Doing so requires considerable energy. Teaching and learning at Milton Academy are active processes, supported by the recognition of the intelligence, talents and potential of each member of the School. Grounded in values, deeply respectful of diversity, and fully aware of the issues of their time, Milton students graduate fully prepared to continue working to meet their own high expectations in the many venues that follow.
Upper School
Student enrollment, Grades 9-12: 722
Number of boarding students: 320
Percent of students of color: 45%
Percent of international students: 13%
Number of Milton faculty: 140
Number of courses offered: 185
Student-faculty ration: 5:1
Average class size: 14
Lower and Middle School
Student enrollment, Grades K–8: 315
Percent of students of color: 39%
Number of faculty: 65
Average class size: 14
The Pritzker Science Center integrates classroom areas with laboratory tables and equipment, creating an environment that allows students to work collaboratively and move seamlessly between discussion and hands-on lab work. The Science Center is constructed primarily of locally sourced and recycled materials, and the building’s sustainability “dashboard” reports energy usage and savings in real time.
The Kellner Performing Arts Center, opened in 1992, is a teaching center for the performing arts and music departments. Kellner includes a large dance studio; classrooms for speech and debate training; classrooms and practice rooms for work in chorus, orchestra and jazz; a “black box” studio theater; fully equipped scene construction and costume shops, and the Ruth King Theatre.
The Ruth King Theatre, a gift of novelist Stephen King in memory of his mother, is an exceptional teaching theatre. Equipped with a stage adaptable to thrust or apron configurations, the theatre is a 20th-century adaptation of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
The William Coburn Cox Library was given by philanthropists William Coburn Cox ’24 and his wife, Jessie Bancroft Cox. The collection includes 25,000 volumes. The Academic Skills Center in the library helps students learn time management, organizational skills and provides support for course work.
The Art and Media Center is alive with the energy of art. Visual arts classrooms and studio spaces connect students and faculty pursuing the arts. The building is also home to the Nesto Gallery, which features eight exhibits annually, showcasing work of graduates, faculty and regional artists.
During World War I, Milton boys farmed potatoes—part of Milton’s war effort—on the site that would eventually become Ware Hall, built as the Girls’ School schoolhouse. Today, students use classical and modern language classrooms, the language laboratory and math classrooms. Ware Hall also includes Middle School classrooms and assembly space.
The Athletic and Convocation Center, opened in 1998, honors Milton’s tradition of excellence in athletics. The Fitzgibbons Convocation Center (south field house) includes three basketball courts, convocation capacity for the School and an indoor track. The north field house includes a hockey rink or, when the rink is de-iced, three tennis courts or space for indoor practice of field sports. The second floor features the Esther and Herbert G. Stokinger ’24 Fitness Center, coaches’ offices and training rooms.
The Caroline Saltonstall Building includes the business office and alumni offices, as well as the Lower and Middle School Admission Office, Lower School academic space, the K–8 library, and the Caroline Saltonstall Gymnasium. The building stands on the original Milton Academy Girls’ School campus.
Greenleaf Hall opened in January, 1970 when Elizabeth Greenleaf Buck was the Lower School principal, and it includes classrooms and specialty areas for Grades 3 through 6.
Warren Hall, built in 1885, was renovated in 2002. The “new” Warren Hall includes the English department, deans’ offices and the Office of Admission in a building sensitively restored to provide state-of-the-art teaching areas within an environment that honors its early role as “the old schoolhouse.”
Schwarz Student Center is part of daily campus life for all students and adults at Milton. The center includes a common area for students to gather outside of class; student activities offices; computer kiosks; a snack bar and a recreation area.
The history classrooms in Wigglesworth Hall support Milton’s teaching and learning style. Students and faculty gather around oval Harkness tables that promote stimulating discussion; each person, including the teacher, is an equal and important member of the discussion.
In the 1950s, Straus Library was the Academy’s main library. Today, Straus serves as a familiar and beloved gathering space for formal and informal events. Members of the upper classes spend time at Straus because the college counseling office is located here. Milton’s five college counselors are fully involved in student life.
The Apthorp Chapel was constructed in 1921 to honor Milton students who served in World War I. Students meet each Sunday evening in Apthorp Chapel for the non-denominational chapel program that often includes guests, students and faculty reflecting on issues affecting the School community, the nation or the world.
Milton Academy received its first three squash courts in 1964. They were given in memory of Ralph B. Williams III ’51 and Albert C. Williams ’60 by their parents, Ralph B. Williams ’26 and Peggy C. Williams, and by other members of the Williams family and friends. The courts were built in the Wigglesworth Cage, which had been used in the early spring for indoor baseball practice. In 1984, four more courts were added and in the prayer offered at their dedication on March 3 by the Rev. Craig W. Casey, husband of Sally Williams Casey (sister of Ralph and Bert Williams), it was hoped that the squash courts would be places where the spirit of true sportsmanship would be fostered. In 1995, the three original courts were converted to international size and rededicated on October 14. In the summer of 2000, the four remaining North American courts were converted to international size. We now have seven international courts, the perfect number for interscholastic competition.
The Robert Saltonstall Gymnasium (RSG) was once the major boys’ gymnasium at Milton. Today, students are drawn to the H. Adams Carter ’32 Climbing Wall, where they can learn to rock climb. The building includes a basketball court and wrestling facilities, and hosts many of Milton’s Physical Education classes during the school day.
Astronomy students use the Ayer Observatory to observe and study celestial objects. (The School also enjoys a portable planetarium.) The observatory’s 12-foot dome houses a five-inch Clark refractor for general classroom use; its smaller dome houses a 9-inch Takahashi reflector. Eight piers just outside of the observatory provide smaller, portable telescopes for larger group use.
The Junior Building provides space for Milton’s youngest learners: kindergarteners through students in Grade 2. Together, Greenleaf and the Junior Building ensure that the Lower School enjoys spaces dedicated to young children.
Students
42
Rooms
12 single rooms and 15 double rooms
Distinguishing Characteristics
three dining rooms, one for each of the houses in the Quad
Traditions
apple picking; pumpkin carving; themed bowling; big/little sisters; Valentine’s Day with brother dorm (Norris House); annual nighttime egg hunt
Students
42
Rooms
14 single rooms and 14 double rooms
Distinguishing Characteristics
fireplace which greets you as you walk in the door
cut through to the dining hall
attached to Millet House
Traditions
Apple picking with our sister dorm
Valentine’s Day – we do performances for our sister dorm and they provide the food
Pumpkin carving competition – Hallowell & Millet House judge the winner
House Bowling – Annual trip to Boston Bowl
House Kickball – indoor kickball games
Norris Nosh – Twice a year each advisee group makes a dish and we do a potluck
Team Clean – Each boy is to a team that is then assigned to a night and they clean the common areas on week nights with the faculty member on duty.
Big Brother Program – Run by the house monitor the program matches younger students with older ones to help with the transition into the boarding life.
Students
41
Rooms
17 single rooms and 12 double rooms
Distinguishing Characteristics
The common room on the ground floor includes a fireplace and a grand piano
Traditions
Dorm bowling; Cookie decorating; Big/little sister program; Walk for Hunger; Pumpkin carving with Goodwin House
Students
46
Rooms
19 single rooms, 12 double rooms and 1 triple room
Distinguishing Characteristics
Four floors
Picnic table on the Quad
Traditions
Sharing mooncakes in the fall
Trips to Chipotle and Quincy Dynasty
Senior-freshmen bonding
Volleyball on the Quad
Freshmen treats during study hall
Dorm dodgeball
Practicing for dorm caroling
Pizza on the long weekends
End-of-year cookout on Governor’s terrace
Students
40
Rooms
16 single rooms, 9 double rooms and 2 triple room
Distinguishing Characteristics
Two-story, spacious dormitory. Robbins is the only house with double and triple lofts.
Traditions
welcome letter to new students from the house head, house monitor and big sister; birthday parties in advisee groups; pumpkin-carving contest; theme decorating parties; theme bowling; senior dinner at the end of the year; poem chosen for each senior
Students
44
Rooms
18 single rooms and 13 double rooms
Distinguishing Characteristics
Boys room by class. Freshman first, sophomores and juniors on the second level, and seniors live on the third floor. This house has an east wing and west wing. Each floor has its own common area. Seniors in Forbes House have their own TV area. Faculty live in the corner apartments of each floor.
Traditions
Nighttime Capture the Flag
Trips to Fire & Ice, Bertucci’s, and the movie theater
Tournament of Champions: groups compete in Olympic-type events including Ping-Pong, pool, Candy Land, etc.
Students’ achievements celebrated at weekly dorm meetings
ATL (a crazy game that is a cross between Ping-Pong and volleyball)
Trips into Boston
Pumpkin carving
Dorm caroling
Pool tournaments
Forbes lapel pin
Senior Dinner (where seniors pass on the Forbes lapel pin)
Students
36
Rooms
9 single rooms, 9 double rooms and 3 triple rooms
Traditions
Big Brother-Little Brother Bonding
Halloween Haunted House Party
Pumpkin Carving
Dorm Bowling
Hosting Milton Fire Department for Dinners
Hosting Milton Police Department for Dinners
Long Weekend Cookouts
Morning SportsCenter
Secret Santa Gift Exchange
Transition Program
Green Proctor Program
Senior Stretch
Celebrity Dinners
Intramural Dorm Softball Champions 2008, 2011
Thankween Plymouth Rock Celebration
O2 Ice Hockey
ResLife Program Grail
Monday Night “Chill” with “Doc”
Spring Beach Club & Volleyball Open
Math Team Headquarters
Senior Wills
Senior Mugs
Spring Dynasty Runs
Scooter McGhee Road Rally
Intramural Dodgeball: Champions 2010
Epiphany School Meal Prep Team
Winter Carnival “Chollo” Snowboarding Open
Core Values::Harmony, Advocacy, Unity, Mindfulness, Temperance, Prudence, Fortitude and Justice
Students
31
Rooms
7 single rooms, 9 double rooms and 2 triple rooms
Distinguishing Characteristics
Large rooms with walk-in closets; a lobby with a fireplace and piano
Traditions
Pumpkin carving; Big sister/little sister; Dorm garden; Secret santas; Poems chosen for seniors
Registered nurses, school physicians and counselors at the Health and Counseling Center help students who need physical or emotional care. The Health Center provides overnight accommodation for students as well as access to Milton Hospital and major Boston hospitals. The Health Center manages programs that involve students in care, support, leadership and learning—both in promoting healthy lifestyles and in responding to those with emotional or physical need.
Milton at a Glance
Academics, K–8, Upper School
Academics, Arts, K–8, Upper School
Academics, Upper School
Academics, Arts, K–8, Upper School
Academics, K–8, Upper School
Academics, Athletics, Upper School
Academics, Athletics, K–8
Academics, K–8
Academics, Upper School
Academics, Upper School
Academics, Upper School
Academics, Upper School
Academics, K–8, Upper School
Athletics, K–8, Upper School
Academics, Athletics, K–8, Upper School
Academics, K–8, Upper School
Academics, K–8
Residences, Upper School
Residences, Upper School
Residences, Upper School
Residences, Upper School
Residences, Upper School
Residences, Upper School
Residences, Upper School
Residences, Upper School
Academics, K–8, Upper School