FAQS

We accept applications for Kindergarten through Grade 7. Our planned entry points are Kindergarten (approximately 24 new students), Grade 4 (approximately 8 new students), Grade 6 (approximately 13 new students), and Grade 7 (approximately 10 new students) but spaces in other grades may become available. We do not accept applications for Grade 8.

We do not know from year to year what spaces may become available in these grades. While we ask our families to complete the re-enrollment process by February of the current school year, parents sometimes find out later that their child will not be returning to Milton Academy for a variety of reasons. In an increasingly mobile society, it more frequently happens that one or two spaces become available in non-entry point grades; in order for a candidate to be considered for any opening, he or she needs to have completed the application process by the January 15 deadline.

The age requirements for students applying for admission to the 2027–2028 academic year are as follows:

Kindergarten – born by 9/1/22
Grade 1 – born by 9/1/21
Grade 2 – born by 9/1/20
Grade 3 – born by 9/1/19
Grade 4 – born by 9/1/18
Grade 5 – born by 9/1/17
Grade 6 – born by 9/1/16
Grade 7 – born by 9/1/15

Students must be 5 by September 1 to be eligible for enrollment. We know that different schools have different age requirements or ways of organizing grade levels. Therefore, some applicants may be in a grade level other than their age requires at Milton Academy. If you have specific questions, the admission office will be happy to discuss your situation with you. Based on developmental considerations, however, we have a strong preference for keeping students with their chronological peer group.

We seek to enroll students who will thrive personally and academically at Milton. We want our students to fit comfortably into the nurturing, rich, challenging, fast-paced and rigorous academic atmosphere. We also seek applicants who will not only benefit from our community, but will contribute to it. Some characteristics that describe our students are:

• Curious, enthusiastic, and eager to learn
• Willing to take risks
• Accepting and appreciative of differences
• Resilient
• Focused and motivated
• Increasingly self-reliant and independent while also being able to work collaboratively and share ideas, strategies and information
• Thoughtful, kind, respectful of others

We also strive to build a class of students that is cooperative, collegial and rich in variations: balanced in terms of gender, socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, culture and geography.

We get to know each child in a variety of ways, and as thoroughly as possible, during the admission process. No one piece of information is determinative: each part contributes to our overall understanding of your child. The admission process consists of parent interview, student interview and questionnaire for grades 6–7, review of prior school records and any standardized test results (depending on age), evaluations from current teachers, a formal application including family information, and a group visit by the applicant (Kindergarten and Grade 4 only). We also consider each candidate’s social and emotional readiness for our program at all grade levels. In some cases, the admission office may request additional information if we feel more information is necessary to make an informed decision.

For students applying to Kindergarten or Grade 4, the required interview is for parent(s)/guardian(s) only. Parents will meet with an admission counselor for approximately 45 minutes. During this time we will get to know your family, and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Student interviews are conducted for students applying to Grades 6 or 7 only. An admission officer will meet first with the student, giving us a chance to get to know them. This also provides the student an opportunity to reflect on Milton Academy and ask any remaining questions they may have. After we finish talking to the student, we will invite the parent(s)/guardian(s) for their interview. Interviews are approximately 45 minutes total in length.

Upon receipt of an application, Kindergarten and Grade 4 applicants will be scheduled for a group visit. The Group Visit is an essential part of the admission process. It provides an opportunity for the prospective students to learn more about Milton, and for our admission officers to get to know each applicant.

Please note that this visit can be waived for applicants who are applying from out of state or internationally.

Milton welcomes applications from families who are considering relocating. Please be aware that we do not offer boarding in Grades 6–8. We look forward to interviewing you either in person or on Zoom!

We do not provide individual feedback during the admission process. Since this is not a formal testing procedure, there are no standardized results to share. The admission office traditionally handles a large number of applicants, and our goal is to make the process an informative and positive experience for every family. We aim to make each candidate feel welcome, comfortable, and able to be themselves during their visits with us. We also want parents to feel fully informed about Milton Academy, its philosophy and programs.

Yes. Milton Academy is committed to diversity and welcomes the opportunity to consider all qualified applicants. Our school is greatly enriched by the racial, ethnic, socio-economic and religious diversity within our community. Acceptance and appreciation of differences is a cornerstone of our philosophy, our curriculum, and our way of life at Milton.

Learn more about diversity in the Lower School and  Middle School

The tuition rates for the 2026–2027 school year are as follows:

Grades 6–8: $68,500
Grades 4–5: $54,500
Kindergarten and Grades 1–3: $50,500

Middle school tuition includes tuition insurance, lunch, all books and supplies, a school-issued Chromebook, use of athletic uniforms & equipment, the after school homework program, field trips (including the 8th grade overnight trip), and social events.

Lower school tuition includes tuition insurance, morning snack, lunch, all books and supplies, a school-issued iPad or Chromebook (as applicable by grade), field trips, and social events.

Parents/guardians may choose to enroll their students in other, optional programs at Milton Academy for which families will be charged a fee, including but not limited to: daily bus service to and from school, music lessons, the after school program (lower school only), and enrichment clubs (lower school only). Milton Academy’s financial aid program does not support these optional additional programs.

Financial aid is available and awarded based on need. All financial aid information is strictly confidential. Admission applications are read without regard for a family’s ability to pay. Only in the final phase is the selection process “need aware,” as the admission committee weighs its decision against available funds.

Any questions concerning financial aid should be directed to Chris Kane in the Office of Financial Aid at 617-898-2239 or Chris_Kane@milton.edu.  Click here to learn more about financial aid.

Absolutely. Our students come from a wide range of towns.

Bus transportation from various surrounding communities is available for students before and after school.

Learn More

Milton Academy does not require any particular parent involvement, but we welcome the many ways in which parents support the school. Each family is free to determine what, if any, contributions of time they are able to make. All parents are automatically members of the Parents’ Association and may attend the monthly morning or evening meetings and participate in a wide variety of committees. Parents are always welcome to help with field trips, volunteer in the library, or help with admission tours.

No. Our students do not need to reapply when it comes time to move to the Upper School.

Admission decisions are posted in the Ravenna Hub portal on March 10. We do not report admission decisions by telephone.

Each year, we meet many wonderful applicants during the admission process. Because our school is committed to small class sizes, we are limited in the number of children we can accept. We welcome reapplications from students who were not admitted. Because we do not accept students into Grade 8, Grade 7 students who were not admitted can not reapply until Grade 9.

We place a small number of candidates for each grade level on a waiting list. This list is purposefully short and does not include every qualified candidate who has applied. We want to be realistic about the number of openings that traditionally become available after our initial acceptances are sent, and we want to feel that each candidate on the waiting list has an honest possibility of moving off that list. 

The waiting list is not ranked in any order, but rather is a pool of names. The candidate who best complements the space that becomes available will be chosen from the waiting list. Please note that the waiting list is not held over into the next admission cycle. We begin a new admission process at the beginning of each school year.

Kindergarten–Grade 5
8 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Grades 6–8
8 a.m.–3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday

Click here to learn about after school activities for our Lower School students in Kindergarten through Grade 5.

An after school program is available daily from until 5:45 p.m. for Middle School students in Grade 6 through Grade 8.

There is no formal dress code. All students should wear neat, clean, comfortable and appropriate clothing.

​Milton provides lunch for all Lower and Middle School students, including the option of a hot entrée each day and choices from a salad bar, pasta and sandwich fixings. Milk and water is provided for everyone. This cost is included in the yearly tuition.

This term refers to the total cost of one academic year including tuition and books.

Yes. Financial aid is allocated to those families who meet the PFS deadline (January 31) prior to considering those who apply after the deadline.

If you are unable to meet the deadline, notify the Office of Financial Aid at 617-898-2239.

If you need aid, you should apply. Admission applications are read without regard for a family’s ability to pay. Only in the final phase is the selection process “need aware,” as the admission committee weighs its decision against available funds.

Milton Academy expects families who enroll without receiving financial aid to continue to pay tuition in full. You may apply for aid at any time; however, in order to be considered for aid, you must demonstrate that your family’s financial situation has changed significantly.

Your aid will be adjusted if your family’s financial circumstances change significantly.

Milton considers each application individually. We consider families within the full spectrum of financial situations, and income is only one of the factors we consider in assessing a family’s need. Milton seeks to include families from a broad economic range including not only those families who have substantial need, but also those who, with some financial help, would be able to consider a Milton education.

Milton expects your family to do all it can reasonably do to meet educational expenses. Financial aid makes up the difference.

When there is evidence that a family cannot contribute to the cost of attendance, Milton provides complete funding.

No; all aid is need-based.

If extenuating circumstances are affecting your family’s financial stability, document these factors and submit the documentation as part of your financial aid application.

Milton expects both parents to complete the PFS annually and to contribute to educational costs.

Include a letter in your application if there are circumstances that Milton should consider when determining your financial need. Please be as specific as possible with dates and figures.

No.

Milton Academy offers payment plans that allow you to spread your student’s education expenses over smaller monthly installments, paid over the course of the year. Milton Academy’s payment plans are administered by FACTS Management, whose services help more than two million families nationwide afford education each year. Direct questions about the plans to FACTS at 866-441-4637.