Our opening of school programs are geared toward helping everyone get acclimated—to feel confident about who and where they are. During the opening of school, all students—new and returning, boarding and day—will engage with each other, faculty and staff. Each person at our School contributes to the Milton environment in big and small ways every day.
Programs for new Upper School students are planned with careful consideration of what being new to Milton feels like and what experiences will be helpful in the first few days. Interactions during orientation focus on a number of themes important to life at Milton. While students will spend some time learning the logistics of life at School, most of the time they will be meeting peers and anticipating certain key experiences. We help incoming students understand what they should expect at Milton and get a feel for what our school culture aims to be: how much their different life experiences and personal identities make this an outstanding place; how talented their classmates are; how to manage academic challenges; how to engage in a community that brings together members of communities from around the world; how to keep their parents in the loop while they become more independent; and how to participate fully in a school where choices exceed the time available. These ideas, coupled with advice from current students, advisors and deans, are extremely valuable for successfully navigating Milton Academy.
For a complete opening of school schedule, visit the opening of school calendar. Links to your child’s opening of school schedule will also be posted in your myMilton account.
Transition Program—All New Upper School Students and Families
Milton’s programming for new students and parents runs from Saturday, August 31 to Monday, September 2. Milton’s Transition Program, our required orientation for all students and families new to the Upper School, includes activities designed to help develop an understanding of the community we strive to build, the many people who make up our School, the partnerships, and the individual contributions we all make to help form this dynamic learning environment. The Transition Program creates opportunities for students to explore and share their individual identities within our diverse community, build connections with others, and practice effective ways of communicating and learning across difference. Students will participate in diversity, equity and inclusion workshops, and will have the opportunity to participate in affinity spaces with others who share aspects of their identities. All new students, boarding and day, will stay overnight in the dormitories during the Transition Program. A one-day parent program will be held Saturday, August 31.
The Transition Program schedule is as follows:
Saturday, August 31
9:30 a.m. All new boarding students arrive and move into permanent houses (please note the new time)
10:30 a.m. All new day students arrive and move into assigned houses for the duration of the Transition Program, which runs through 3 p.m. on Monday
12–4:30 p.m. Parent programming
Sunday, September 1
New student programming continues
Monday, September 2
New student programming continues until 3 p.m. New day families can pick up their students at 3 p.m. on Monday if they are not participating in afternoon activities.
Schedule for September 2–6
The date and time that students should arrive on campus will vary due to a variety of program offerings that we provide students in the days leading up to the start of classes. Please read the following carefully and refer to the Upper School calendar to plan your arrival. Please note that all Class IV students are considered new students for opening of school programming. Kindly note that returning boarding students will NOT be allowed to move into the houses prior to MONDAY, September 2.
Note: Bus service for the Upper School begins on Wednesday, September 4. Day students required to be on campus for activities and athletics are responsible for getting themselves to and from campus on Monday and Tuesday.
Monday, September 2, between 1–3 p.m.
Boarding varsity athletes
Boarding athletes who will play football or try out for varsity level field hockey, soccer, or volleyball may move into their houses on Monday, September 2, between 1–3 p.m. Students wishing to participate in any level of cross country should note that practices begin on Tuesday, September 3, at 3 p.m.
Monday, September 2, beginning at 3 p.m.
All varsity athletes
Football (all levels) and tryouts for varsity level field hockey, soccer, and volleyball begin on Monday, September 2, from 3–6 p.m.
All other boarding students
All other boarding students—with the exception of student-athletes—may move into houses on Monday, September 2, beginning at 3 p.m.
Tuesday, September 3
Varsity athletes and Classes I-III performing arts students
Football (all levels) and tryouts for varsity level field hockey, soccer, and volleyball continue on Tuesday, September 3, from 8:30–11 a.m. and again from 3:15–5:45 p.m. Performing arts auditions will take place during those same time frames. Technical theatre activities will take place from 3:15–5:45 p.m.
All boarding students – required programming
All boarding students will participate in required programming throughout the day on Tuesday, September 3.
Wednesday, September 4
All returning day students
Registration opens at 8 a.m. Required programming for all students—day and boarding—will run from 11 a.m. to 3p.m.
Please note: Day students who are not participating in fall co-curriculars are not expected on campus prior to Wednesday morning.
Varsity athletes and Classes I-III performing arts students
Football (all levels) and tryouts for varsity level field hockey, soccer, and volleyball continue on Wednesday, September 4, from 8–10 a.m. and again from 3:15–5:45 p.m.Performing arts auditions will take place during those same time frames. Technical theatre activities will take place from 3:15–5:45 p.m.
Third team and junior varsity athletes
Third team practices and junior varsity athletic tryouts begin at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4.
Thursday, September 5
Required programming for all students begins at 8 a.m. will run throughout the day.
All athletes and performing arts students
Practices for all sports at all levels and performing arts rehearsals begin at 3:15 p.m.
Friday, September 6
Classes begin. Convocation will take place in the morning and students are expected to wear semi-formal attire.
Weekend Activities
In addition to athletic games and matches, the student activities office plans fun activities every weekend throughout the academic year. All students—boarding and day—are invited to join in the evening activities on Friday and Saturday nights.
