FAQs

If you have a question that hasn't been answered on these FAQ pages, please submit your question using the Parents' FAQ Form.

Academic Support
Attendance
Birthday and Gifts
Questions from Boarding Families
Computers
College Counseling
Questions from Day Families
Finances
Grades and Comments
Health Care and Counseling
Release of Student Information
Transportation
Weekends
Worship

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Q:	What happens if my child needs extra support with academic work?
A:	When students feel they need extra support in a course, the first resource is the classroom teacher. Normally, a teacher can provide the student one extra help session every week. If the student needs more general support or experiences academic difficulties that cannot be addressed to everyone's satisfaction through extra help from a teacher, the student, working through his or her advisor, should meet with the director of academic skills. If long-term term tutoring help is needed, whether generally or with a particular subject, the director of academic skills can help make arrangements (617-898-2401). Parents would be responsible for the expense for this tutoring. Students who would like help with a particular assignment, or advice about organization or time management, can also drop in at the Academic Skills Center. The Skills Center is staffed throughout the academic day and on certain evenings of the school week.

Q:	How do I ensure that the School responds to educational testing information about my son or daughter?
A:	If you have educational testing information about your student, please pass that information along to the director of academic skills. She, working with the academic dean, will ensure we follow school policies in response to the testing information.

ATTENDANCE

Q:	What should I do if my child cannot come to school because of illness?
A:	Please call the Attendance Line at (617) 898-2923 as soon after 7:30 a.m. as possible and before 9:30 a.m. for each day of illness. If your child is a boarder, at home with you and unable to return to the school because of illness, be sure to call the house head before your child is expected back in the dormitory. What is the procedure for excusing my child from school for matters other than illness, for example, an orthodontist appointment or a family wedding? Students in Classes I to IV should come to the Deans' Office in the Warren Hall well in advance of the requested absence. The deans' secretary will schedule a conversation with the academic dean or the assistant dean who can excuse the student. Alternatively, parents can call the Deans' Office at (617) 898-2143. Students in Classes V and VI should talk with one of their class deans well in advance of the requested absence, or parents can call the class deans directly at (617) 898-2551 for the same discussion.

Q:	Are there weekends when students are required to be on campus?
A:	Each school year includes a few "closed" weekends. Boarders must stay on campus during closed weekends, and day students will be required to be on campus for special programming during some of those weekends.

Q:	What are the attendance expectations at examination time?
A:	During the school's examination period we will excuse students from school only for illness or family emergency. The same is true during the last week of the school year. Examinations normally take place between Monday and Friday of the last full week of January (check actual dates on the Upper School calendar). Weather cancellations occasionally extend the exam period, so that exams may occur on the Saturday of that week or the following Monday. Families making post-exam plans need to be aware that students may be required at school for rescheduled examinations.

Q:	What are the attendance expectations on the days that vacations begin?
A:	The School excuses absences for an early vacation departure only under unusual circumstances. Families need to book travel reservations well in advance and schedule departures at least two hours after the last class. Particular lead time is often needed for Thanksgiving vacation reservations. At Thanksgiving and winter vacation, dormitories stay open until the day after classes end so students can take flights the following morning rather than miss classes.

Q:	Can my child be excused from classes to participate in a family vacation?
A:	In all but the most extreme circumstances, we will not excuse students to participate in a family trip while Milton is in session, for example, a trip planned to coincide with other schools' vacations.

BIRTHDAYS and GIFTS

Q:	Where can I order a birthday cake for my child?
A:	Dining services will be happy to accept orders for birthday cakes at (617) 898-2350.

Q:	Are Milton Academy gifts available?
A:	The bookstore, (617) 898-2110, offers a good selection of Milton Academy gifts.

QUESTIONS FROM BOARDING FAMILIES

Q:	Are the houses class specific?
A:	No, each house includes all four classes, a feature of Milton residential life that students love and that makes each house feel more like a large family.

Q:	Do students stay in the same room throughout their Milton stay?
A:	No. Each house has its own policy on determining a student's room. In some houses, house parents assign rooms, while in others students may draw or choose which room they would like when they are seniors. Many of the girls' dorms switch rooms and roommates at mid-year.

Q:	Do I need to bring furniture?
A:	Rooms are furnished with a bed (XL twin 36"x80"), pillow, mattress and cover, bureau, wardrobe or closet, desk, wooden chair and wastebasket. Waiting to bring chairs and other personal items until you are able to see your student's actual room is best. Most other things that your child may need are available at the School bookstore or at local stores. Please note that dorm storage facilities are very limited. Furniture can not be stored over the summer. If I send a trunk during the summer, what address should I use? Please send it to: Milton Academy c/o Facilities Department 325 Randolph Avenue Milton, MA 02186 Please remember to mark your property with your name. We often find that items can not be returned to their owners because they are not labeled properly

Q:	What should my child bring to Milton?
A:	Some things you should bring to Milton are: Chapel clothes (dress shoes, jacket/tie/good pants or skirt/blouse/dress) Blankets (favorite comforter) and /or pillow Desk lamp Alarm clock Clothes hangers Laundry bag Power strip Sleeping bag Sticky tack (posters can not be hung with tacks or tape) Earphones (if you bring a stereo /sound system) If you bring a laptop computer, please purchase a lock for it. Bringing only those things you will actually use is a good idea. When children leave home for school with their personal belongings, increasing homeowners' insurance to cover their items is always prudent.

Q:	What should my child leave at home?
A:	Please do not bring: Television set Electric blanket Hot pot Iron (each house has one) Halogen lamps (these are fire hazards and are strictly forbidden)

Q:	When are dormitories ready for students to move in?
A:	Paying attention to the times stated in the school calendar and opening of school information about arriving at houses is important. We cannot allow students to move in or come back from school breaks earlier than the stated times because houses may not be ready, and/or appropriate supervision may not be available.

Q:	How are meals handled throughout the day?
A:	Milton serves three meals a day. Breakfast and lunch are served in Forbes Dining Hall. Members of a house eat dinner family style, with the faculty, three times each week and in Forbes Dining Hall for the remainder of the week.

Q:	Can my child bring a bicycle to school?
A:	Yes. However, students typically do not use bicycles for transportation; classroom, athletic facilities and houses are close together. Some students use bikes recreationally. Storage areas are limited.

Q:	Does Milton provide laundry service?
A:	Milton provides sheets, towels and weekly laundry service. There is no additional cost for this service. Linen and laundry bags may be picked up during orientation. If you bring your own linen from home, you still need to pick up a laundry bag if you wish to have them laundered by the service. Dry cleaning is also available through E&R Cleaners who will contact families directly during the summer.

Q:	Are students permitted to have overnight guests in their dorm rooms?
A:	Yes, although in general, overnights are not allowed during the week. In most cases, hosting a day student or visitor overnight occurs as it does in a private home. Students get permission from the hosting house parent, and guests live by the "rules of the house." The guest student's parent needs to call the house head to request permission.

Q:	What is Milton's policy on leaving campus?
A:	Milton uses a "Blue Card" system to ensure that dormitory faculty always know the whereabouts of each student. This system is fully explained in the Student Handbook, but in summary, a faculty member must sign a student's Blue Card to give permission before a student can leave for any destination. Policies on leaving campus vary according to the age of the student. Permission forms allow you to decide about certain year-long permissions you may give your child. Please think and talk these permissions through carefully with your child before returning your form.

Q:	What is the Host Family Program?
A:	Local host families provide special support, a home away from home, for those students who come to Milton from a great distance. To request a host family, or to volunteer as a host family, please use the Host Family Program form.

COLLEGE COUNSELING

How does the college application process work at Milton?

The College Counseling Office has developed a highly personal approach towards the college admissions process. Normally, the counseling begins in March of the Class II year when the counselors present a weekend orientation program. Individual meetings between students and counselors during the succeeding months. Some of these meetings include the student's advisor. College counselors are happy to provide advice earlier in a student's career as well, for example about standardized testing options. You can reach the College Office at (617) 898-2310 or go to their web site.

COMPUTERS

Q:	Will my child have Internet access in the houses?
A:	The computer must have an Ethernet card capable of connecting to the wall jack in the dorm room. Suitable cards are available at cost from Academy Technology Services (ATS). Students are not permitted to use modems since Milton Academy's telephone service uses digital rather than analog technology.

Q:	What networked services does the School provide?
A:	The two main services are World Wide Web access and MiltONline, a full-featured electronic mail and conferencing system. All students, faculty and staff have private email accounts.

Q:	How can my day student access services on the network from home?
A:	Families with computers at home can connect to the Milton Academy data network through an Internet service provider. You will need client software for MiltONline, which you can download from the "School Wide Web" or obtain through the Academic Computer Center at (617) 898-2331. In addition, laptop computers with Ethernet cards can be connected to the network in the Cox Library, Academic Skills Center or the Academic Computer Center.

Q:	Will my child need to own a personal computer while attending Milton Academy?
A:	No. The facilities in the school's computer center and in the houses are adequate for a student's needs. However, most students do own computers that they use frequently for schoolwork.

Q:	If my boarding student's computer or printer develops problems during the school year, whom should he or she contact?
A:	A student should first contact a "Dorm Ranger," a fellow student in the dormitory who has been trained by the Academic Computing Department to solve minor problems. If the Dorm Ranger concludes that the problem needs more serious attention, the student can bring the hardware to ATS (Academy Technology Services). ATS has a certified technician, and parts and labor are charged at cost.

Q:	If I want to buy my child a computer, which type should I buy?
A:	We realize that purchasing a computer and a printer is a major investment, and so part of our commitment to support lies in helping families make appropriate decisions. Members of ATS will be happy to answer any questions you might have about computers or printers by calling (617) 898-1767. Milton Academy supports both Macintosh and Windows machines, so the choice of platform is a personal preference. Any computer connected to the School’s network must be running a School-supported version of the operating system. Supported operating systems are Windows XP and MacOS X.

QUESTIONS FROM DAY FAMILIES

Q:	In the case of foul weather, how can I get information about school postponements or closings?
A:	Students and faculty can learn about any weather-related changes in the school schedule in several ways. This web site will highlight the changes on the home page. The school switchboard will relay the information beginning at 6:00 a.m. Finally, the following radio and television stations will broadcast the information: WBZ 1030AM, WBUR 90.9, WCVB-TV5. While we try to avoid weather-related school closures once school is in session, if an early dismissal becomes necessary, notification is posted around the school, and school buses leave school shortly after the last required class or activity of the shortened day.

Q:	May day students spend the night on campus as a guest of a boarder?
A:	Yes, although in general, overnights are not allowed during the week. Hosting a day student or visitor overnight occurs as it does in a private home. Students get permission from the hosting house parent, and guests live by the "rules of the house." The guest student's parent needs to call the house head to request permission. The Day-Boarder Exchange is an optional program whereby day students may live for a week in one of the dormitories and boarders may live for a week in a family home. The plan does not have to be reciprocal. Permission forms are available in the Deans' Office.

Q:	May day students drive to school?
A:	Yes. Students must park in assigned lots, and during the academic day may not use their cars without permission from the dean of students or the class dean. Day students may only ride in cars driven by other students if parents have submitted the necessary permission form. Before the start of the school year, parents and children should discuss whether this permission will be given.

Q:	Where can I find information about car pools?
A:	Call the Business Office at (617) 898-2285 for information about car pools.

Q:	What bus routes are available for day students?
A:	There are a number of bus routes available for day students. The routes include Chestnut Hill-Newton, Wellesley-Needham, Needham-Dover-Dedham-South Natick, Central Ave. "T," and the Boston and Cambridge route. For more information please contact the Business Office at (617) 898-2285.

FINANCES & BILLING

Q:	What is the cost of a Milton Academy education?
A:	Tuition does not cover the annual cost of providing a Milton education. In fact, the gap between tuition and the total cost of educating a single student, on average, is $10,000. Each year Milton relies upon several sources of revenue to supplement tuition dollars, income from the endowment and gifts to the school from alumni, parents, grandparents and friends.

Q:	What if I have questions about financial matters at Milton?
A:	Contact the Controller’s Office at 617-898-2281 for information and answers regarding tuition bills and student fees. For information about bookstore charges, contact the bookstore at 617-898-2110. The financial aid director would be happy to answer questions about financial aid at 617-898-2233.

Q:	When will I receive my tuition bills?
	The business office sends tuition bills twice each year, on July 1 and November 30. In February of each year, Milton sends a re-enrollment contract that requires a deposit against the following year’s tuition. Milton sends tuition bills to the person who signed the enrollment contract, unless you instruct us otherwise.

Q:	When is the balance due?
A:	Tuition payments are due on July 31 and December 31, respectively. Re-enrollment contracts are due in March, on a date named in the contract letter. Miscellaneous charges, such as bookstore expenses or field trips are due upon receipt of the bill.


Q:	What happens if payment is late?
A:	We encourage parents to call the business office and speak with the Controller in cases where you anticipate that payment will be late. Ultimately, if tuition and other changes are not paid when due, Milton Academy may cancel a student’s enrollment, withhold reports to parents, and/or withhold transcripts to other schools.

Q:	How do I change my billing address?
A:	Change an address by mail, email, or by phone: Regular Mail: Address Updates C/o ATS Department Milton Academy 170 Centre Street Milton, MA 02186 Email: address_update@milton.edu Phone-mail: 617-898-2929

Q:	How do I obtain a refund of an overpayment on a student account?
A:	Contact the Controller’s Office 617-898-2281.

Q:	How is financial aid awarded?
A:	Milton is deeply committed to enrolling outstanding and deserving applicants regardless of their financial circumstances. To support this mission, Milton awards grants on a need-based formula rather than on academic or extracurricular merit.

Q:	How much spending money does my child need?
A:	We urge students not to keep large sums of money in their possession. The Business Office handles accounts for students, from which they may withdraw weekly allowances in an amount parents indicate. Parents deposit a check to this account and then students may pick up allowances at the Business Office on Fridays or Mondays, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 P.M. The Business Office will also cash personal checks up to $30. We encourage students to leave valuables at home, and to deposit excess sums of money with dorm parents or in a local bank. Some parents have found that extending their own credit card so that their child can carry a card at school can be both manageable and convenient.

Q:	Can students save money on textbooks?
A:	Yes, students can purchase used books at the Milton Academy Bookstore. For more information contact the bookstore at (617) 898-2110.

GRADES and COMMENTS

When can I expect to see grades and comments?

Students in Classes I IV receive interim grades and teacher comments in late October, early February, mid-April, and in mid-June. For these marking periods except mid-April, you will also receive an overview comment from your son or daughter's advisor. Mid-April grades and comments are sent out without an advisor comment. If you attend the fall parents' weekend, your son or daughter's advisor will have the grades and comments for you to see at that time.

Students in Classes V and VI receive teacher comments in mid-October, in early December, in early February, in mid-April, and in mid-June. Parents of Class V and VI students receive an overview comment from the advisor in February and in June. If you attend the fall parents' day, your son or daughter's advisor will have the comments for you to see at that time.

HEALTH CARE, SUPPORT and COUNSELING

Q:	What should my child do if he/she feels sick?
A:	Any time a student does not feel well, talking with the house head, a house parent, or a teacher is the right thing to do. During the academic day, students should go directly to the Health Center located next to the head of school's house on the road to the Junior Building. Giving full information on the school health forms about your child's health status is important, because it helps Health Center staff make better-informed decisions about responding to a child's illness or symptoms. Health Center staff provide services throughout the school day and overnight to students who need medical attention. When indicated, the nurses, in consultation with the school physician, will determine appropriate medical care. In a medical emergency, we will make every effort to notify parents, and will accompany the student to a medical facility, using ambulance transportation if necessary. In the event that we can not reach you, your signature on the "permission to treat" form will allow the medical professionals to provide necessary treatment. We will make sure that your child receives immediate care and will contact you as soon as possible. If at any time you sense that your child is ill, please call the house head or Health Center at (617) 898-2450, 2451.

Q:	What if my child requires medication?
A:	Students must inform the Health Center about any prescription medication. In some cases, the staff will keep the medication at the Health Center, and dispense it to students according to the physician's instructions.

RELEASE OF STUDENT INFORMATION

Will Milton release information about my child to the public?

Generally Milton does not release information on a student without written consent of the parent(s) or legal guardians. Exceptions to this rule are the following:

Recommendations or transcripts requested by the parent/student for employers, colleges and special programs.
Press releases or feature articles noting awards or academic or personal distinctions. Occasionally, a reporter may also ask to interview a student in connection with his or her accomplishments or participation in various Milton Academy programs.
The enrollment contract sent to parents each spring allows parents to decline press releases or media interaction.

TRANSPORTATION

Q:	Does Milton assist students with transportation to and from Logan Airport?
A:	Milton takes students by van to the Logan Express bus service that offers frequent service directly to Logan Airport. In addition, students often pool resources to share a taxicab. House faculty will discuss plans with students, and will help them successfully get to and from the airport.

Q:	What are Milton's policies with regard to students' using public transportation?
A:	Milton gives students an introduction to the MBTA system, and makes sure that students travel in pairs, at a minimum, and in groups of three or more whenever possible. Younger students must be back early in the evening. Privileges on the "T" are progressive; they increase with a student's age. In addition, Milton has established a voucher system with local taxi companies to ensure that students can take a taxi back to school from a local "T" stop, even if the student does not have sufficient cash on hand.

WEEKENDS AT MILTON

Q:	What types of activities take place during the weekend, and who may attend?
A:	Between athletic contests on Saturdays and evening activities planned by and for all students boarding and day from Classes I IV, the Milton campus is a busy, well-lit center of life all weekend long. Here is sampling of events beyond athletic contests that took place this past spring. EPICURE - A brunch menu prepared by Faulkner House Sadie Hawkins Dance Winter Play Movies every weekend Two One Act Plays (directed by Class I students) Forbes Open House - Extended Check-In Arts Board Fun Night Debate Tournament Leadership Weekend Pizza & Lip Sync Party CL IV & V Sociables, Milton Hoosic Club Disco Bowling Habitat for Humanity trip with Tech Crew Dinner Theatre - The Golden Fleece Faulkner/Hathaway/Goodwin Open House with Cookout Vocal Concerts Harlem Wizards Basketball 1212 Productions Mystery Bus - Guaranteed Fun Sophomore Semi-Formal Outdoor Program Weekend Trip - SEA KAYAKING Vans to Braintree Cinema Boat Dance Avenues to the Arts - Campus-wide arts festival Community Service - Special Olympics at Milton

Q:	How are weekend plans determined?
A:	Students plan weekend life at Milton. The Student Activities Association (SAA) works with the support of the Dean's Student Activities Office to plan events for Friday and Saturday nights for Classes I - IV.

Q:	How can I learn about weekend events?
A:	A full schedule of weekend events is available on the Web site calendar. Since students plan the activities, ocassionally there are changes, but by Monday of each week the activities for the upcoming weekend are firm.

Q:	Are there separate activities for Classes V and VI?
A:	We encourage all Milton students and parents to attend any Milton sporting event. Students in Classes V and VI are welcome at all concerts, dramatic and artistic performances and movies when accompanied by a parent. A number of school-sponsored social events are planned specifically for members of Classes V and VI throughout the year.

Q:	Are there any formal dances?
A:	Each of the Upper School classes usually holds one formal "creative black tie" dance per year.

WORSHIP

Q:	What religious services are offered at school?
A:	Apthorp Chapel is open during the day for individual use. Boarders attend a required chapel service on Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner. Chapel services arranged by the chaplain include guest speakers of varying religious backgrounds, student and faculty speakers, and special programs including services led by student organizations such as Onyx, the Latino Association, the Jewish Student Union, Asian Society and GASP. The chapel program seeks to unite the boarding community, provide a context for spiritual reflection, and teach students about different religious practices.

Q:	What happens if my child wants to worship off-campus?
A:	The School chaplain helps meet the religious needs of students of all faiths. Opportunities to worship in a number of religious settings are near the campus. Upon request, the chaplain can arrange transportation for students to various places of worship.

Q:	What other programs are offered through the chapel program?
A:	Meditation is offered in the Chapel weekly. The meditation group is called the Milton Buddhist Sangha. A non-academic study group in the Sacred Scriptures of the World meets weekly after chapel on Sunday evenings.