Improved, Improving, and Open for Feedback

Bookmark the Directory for Quick Access

Mourning the student-directory that many of us knew and loved—the glossy, spiral-bound volume—a number of parents asked the School to print that directory.  Alternatively, they hoped Milton would make the old-style directory available for them to buy.  The short answer to that request is that Milton will stay with the online directory (reminder — parents can print any or all sections of the online directory).  The longer answer is important, particularly for those who had hoped for a different outcome.

Milton administrators, the Academy Technology Service and the communication office looked seriously and thoroughly at potential options for the parents.  The successful option needed to meet a tri-fold goal: First, it would not require the hours of Milton staff time in pre-publishing set up required to print the old format.  Second, pricing, ordering, printing and delivering would occur through an outside vendor. Finally but most importantly, the database—all that information—would be secure and unavailable to others outside the School.

We explored numerous scenarios, including shifting the printing to a retail print outlet such as FedEx.  None of the options, however, met the three criteria.  In fact, the threat to the security of Milton’s database was a consistent worry.  

While we can understand the sense of loss for the directory that once was, the decision to provide the directory online was taken with good reason.  Resources formerly spent on the old directory were redirected (more than $22,000 annually) toward serving your children in more important ways; and members of the community—students, faculty, parents and staff—can print exactly what they need and want, the full community or only a slice of the 180 pages.  That’s a sustainable practice. On campus, we haven’t encountered problems printing the directory, all of it or sections of it.  Be sure to use the print icon right on the directory page, not the print command in your browser.  If you have trouble, please call the Academy helpdesk, 617-898-1767.  

Our feedback thus far, from roughly 100 parents, has ranged widely: from applause and congratulations; through constructive suggestions (“use nicknames”); to sincere regrets and encouragements to go back to print. The directory has already seen some changes (such as clickable faculty email addresses) and more will occur as we work over time to improve the product.

Bookmark the directory so you can access it easily, and please use the feedback link to let us know what changes would be helpful to you.

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