Steven Bertozzi will be the new principal of Milton’s Lower and Middle Schools beginning July 1, 2026. The appointment reflects a rethinking of the leadership structure in the two schools, which will continue to operate as distinct divisions within Milton’s K–12 organization. To learn more, please read the message below from Head of School Alixe Callen ’88 to current Lower School families:
Dear Lower School Families,
This fall, Milton, in conjunction with a search committee composed of Lower School faculty, staff, and parents, began our search for a Lower School principal. As you know, Milton has extremely high standards for our educational leaders, and at the outset, the committee agreed that the main priority was to find an individual who meets all of our needs and who is able to provide necessary stability and consistency in leadership. Unfortunately, although we met with several qualified applicants, our committee determined that none of the semifinal candidates fully met all of our expectations for our next Lower School leader. As a result, the committee and I began to consider other alternatives.
I am pleased to announce that we will adopt a new oversight structure for the new 2026–27 academic year. Under this plan Milton will establish a new role, principal of the Lower and Middle Schools, as well as three new assistant principal positions with a strong focus on teaching, learning, and curriculum (one for each developmental age group: Kindergarten–Grade 2, Grades 3–5, and Grades 6–8), reporting to the new principal. The Lower School and the Middle School will each continue to operate as distinct divisions and each will continue to retain its own separate and unique identity, divisional culture, and academic programs.
This approach provides for better alignment, engagement, and administrative coordination between the Lower and Middle schools, allowing all faculty and staff to serve students and families more efficiently and effectively—enabling deeper relationships and more consistency and continuity. It will also ensure that our curriculum, assessment practices, and academic goals build seamlessly from Kindergarten through Grade 8, leading to better student outcomes. This will strengthen the curricular and programmatic links between the divisions, ensuring that Lower School students are fully prepared for the Middle School.
In addition to these changes, I’m incredibly pleased to announce that the search committee unanimously agreed to recommend Steven Bertozzi, our current Middle School principal, as principal of the Lower and Middle Schools and I have accepted their recommendation. For the past six years, Steven has provided excellent leadership as Middle School principal, creating a solid foundation of successful programs and an excellent Middle School curriculum. He is an empathetic leader and effective communicator, someone who has built strong relationships with faculty, staff, students, and families. Additionally, he has a deep understanding of our school and a proven track record of success as an administrator both as a divisional leader and as a member of Milton’s Leadership Team. Most importantly, Steven will provide the stability and consistency that is needed at this moment.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the search committee for its service. I am very excited about the possibilities that this new approach will create for Lower School students and families and I look forward to introducing all of you to Steven in the weeks to come.
We’re looking forward to all the wonderful possibilities the new year holds.
Sincerely,
Alixe
Alixe Callen ‘88
Head of School
