In the aftermath of WWII, Milton Academy needed a revolutionary educational thinker to lead the preparatory school (later the Lower School) into a more hopeful and vibrant future. In the tumultuous post-war period, principal Elizabeth Greenleaf (later known as “Betty Buck”) revolutionized the teaching practices and priorities of the Lower School while reigniting the passion of teachers and students alike. Breaking with more traditional teaching philosophy, Buck believed in nurturing students at the level and pace that fit each learner best. Her commitment to expanding access to education led her to form the Saturday Course, a program that continues to provide a challenging supplementary curriculum to promising students from nearby public schools. She also was responsible for much of the Milton A.P.P.L.E. (A Personally Planned Learning Experience) program, which brought together children from private and public schools across Milton for an educational summer program. Buck’s unique perspective on the role of education in students’ lives and of Milton Academy in its surrounding community were aspirational, shaping a vision of public service that continues to inspire the Milton community today.
