ACADEMICS
Where Learning Takes Root - and Takes Off
Milton Academy's Upper School academic program combines intellectual rigor, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for exploration. Students in Grades 9–12 engage deeply across disciplines, pursue their interests, and develop the skills needed for success in college and life.
We’re delighted that you’re considering Milton Academy: a vibrant, inclusive community where academic excellence, individuality, and collaboration come together. Choosing the right school is an exciting journey, and we look forward to helping you explore all that Milton has to offer.
At Milton, academic life is about more than mastering material. It's about discovering who you are as a thinker, scholar, and leader. It’s where intellectual identity takes shape—and where it’s genuinely cool to love learning.
Our students are more than capable—they’re curious, collaborative, clever, and deeply engaged. They champion one another. They make each other laugh. They take their learning seriously without taking themselves too seriously.
Milton students make thinking exciting.
Milton Academy is a place where students dare to be themselves, developing critical-thinking skills that last a lifetime. Alixe callen '88 | head of school
Engaged Learning in EVERY CLASSROOM
Learning at Milton is active, hands-on, and real. Our classrooms are dynamic spaces—no one fades into the background here. With an average of 14 students per class, every voice matters and is heard. Whether deep in discussion around a Harkness table or scribbling proofs on dry-erase furniture that seamlessly transforms from a math desk to a white board for presenting, our students and faculty prioritize dialogue over lecture, collaboration over competition, and ideas over information.
185+ Choices & Counting
We offer nearly 200 courses across all disciplines. After developing a shared curricular foundation the first year in Class IV, students build their own academic paths, from delving into advanced calculus to exploring contemporary literature through a social-justice lens. At Milton, we offer the flexibility of a liberal arts education with the freedom to specialize.
Rigor at Milton is real—but so is balance. We believe academic excellence and student well-being go hand in hand. Our unique ninth-grade grading policy, where grades aren’t reported to colleges, allows students to focus on growth, exploration, and confidence-building during a pivotal year. It’s a distinctive approach among our peers, and one we’re proud of.
Support That Runs Deep
No one goes through Milton alone. Every student is assigned to an advisory, a group of 5-8 peers and one teacher, that stays together throughout their years here, fostering trust and lasting relationships.
Whether you’re coming from overseas or a few miles away, you’ll find support through your advisor, our Academic Skills Center, and a faculty that’s deeply invested in your success—50 percent of whom live right on campus. These one-on-one connections extend well beyond the classroom and ensure every student has the resources and support to thrive.
Learning With Purpose
In 2018, Milton made the important decision to no longer include grades in Class IV transcripts. We recognize it is a formative year for our students, new and returning, to acclimate to the school’s academic rigor as well as focus on growth and well-being. Ultimately, Milton's academic program is about preparing for life. Our students are equipped not only with skills and knowledge, but with the agency to act and the mindset to lead.
Academic Resources
College Counseling
Cox Library
Academic Skills Center
Ayer Observatory
