Milton Academy Lower School

a p rev iew

m i lt o n a c a d e m y l ow e r s c h o o l

m i lto n ac a d e m y Our mission: Dare to be True Milton Academy cultivates in its students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Embracing diver­sity and the pursuit of excellence, we create a community in which individuals develop competence, confidence and character. Our active learning environment, in and out of the classroom, develops creative and critical thinkers, unafraid to express their ideas, prepared to seek meaningful lifetime success, and to live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”

Students: Intellectual development in a nurturing environment Children at Milton are curious, vivacious and capable. They care about, enjoy, and learn from their peers. Class sizes are small, so adults get to know every student well, developing relationships that seed students’ confidence and courage. Skilled, caring faculty members create an environment that encourages children to take safe risks—experiencing public speaking, responsibility, leadership and service, which promote intellectual and emotional growth. School is an exciting and welcoming place for the 160 students in Milton’s Lower School.

Academics: A passion for learning Milton’s Lower School curriculum is interdisciplinary, flexible and rich. Students’ work in science, literature, mathematics, geography, Spanish language and world cultures correlates with projects in art, music, technology, woodworking and physical education. Children come to a nuanced understanding of these subjects, and they make connections across disciplines. The development of interpersonal skills and selfawareness guides all pursuits.

Students learn at the natural pace of childhood, as they discover the depth and value of the content and how it relates to the world around them.

Faculty: Developing skills, fueling growth The commitment of learned and experienced teachers is Milton’s great treasure. Working hand-in-hand with their colleagues from all parts of the School, Milton’s teachers are curriculum developers. They meet regularly to design classroom units that involve hands-on learning and an integrated approach. Milton’s faculty love learning. Year in and year out, they develop their personal and professional talents to bring new energy, ideas and skills to children.

The adults at Milton care about every child. They make sure that each child takes opportunities, grows through challenges, and develops self-confidence.

Arts: Expression requires reflection Both in and out of the classroom, Milton’s culture celebrates creative expression—in music, painting, woodworking, writing, drawing and performing arts. Faculty connect academic coursework with artistic lessons and projects each day.

In music, students develop their voices and understand their natural inclination toward movement, rhythm and pitch. In visual art classrooms, creations enliven topics that students explore in literature or world cultures. In drama and speech, students have dynamic opportunities to become confident presenters, performers and public speakers.

The arts are alive at Milton. Growing in creativity, discovering new passions—these are parts of School life, here.

Physical Education: Action that shapes attitude Physical education is an essential aspect of learning and development.

Lower School students exercise daily, whether formally—ice skating on the campus rink in the winter or competing in field day events in the spring—or informally during recess using Milton’s vast outdoor space and gymnasiums. With their teachers and classmates, students learn and appreciate teamwork, persistence and dedication. They learn resilience, and they develop a healthy appreciation and respect for what their bodies can do.

Lower School in a K–12: Community within a community Milton’s Lower School students enjoy the best of both worlds: They learn and grow in developmentally appropriate groups. They spend their time in comfortable and manageable spaces. At the same time, our boys and girls enjoy the resources of the larger K–12 school. Older and younger children join together in science experiments and dance performances. They share playing fields and the School’s observation tower. Middle and Upper School reading buddies and homework helpers volunteer in Lower School classrooms. Familiarity with Milton’s Middle and Upper School helps our students reach high and prepare for the next step. Before that, they gain confidence on their own turf; they become leaders themselves.

Outside of class: Building confidence, competence and character “I never knew there would be so many opportunities for…,” and “I can’t believe how much I get to choose…,” students say. The chances for students to grow and express themselves are diverse. They have many options to gain skills, increase awareness and serve. They can spend an afternoon with a group of friends who have a common interest; they can join their classmates in questioning a morning assembly speaker. They love to go off campus to explore a unique place as a class.

All together, the chance to do more, and different, with their interests and talents, is something they love about their School. At the same time, they expand and grow, learning about themselves and the world around them.

Respect for others: A safe place to grow Students at Milton care for one another. They overtly support their classmates and schoolmates. They let one another know that it’s safe to try something new, and to try again. Deep in our School culture is the idea that each one of us brings something unique and valuable, and that together we create something bigger than the sum of the parts. We love the differences among us. In our classrooms and our hallways, we nurture an interest in and knowledge of the world beyond our walls. Care, respect, sharing, and the importance of helping others are all lessons of the day.

Admission and Financial Aid Milton Academy seeks to enroll students who are motivated and eager to learn. Our principal entry points are Kindergarten and Grade 4; we also accept applications for Grades 1, 2, 3 and 5, as spaces become available. Approximately 40 percent of Lower School students are students of color. Milton values diversity in all its forms and maintains a generous financial aid budget. Aid is need-based, and Milton strives to meet 100 percent of the demonstrated need of each student offered admission.

We encourage families to begin the admission process well before the January 15 deadline for initiating an application. Beginning the process early affords greater flexibility to schedule appointments, more time to complete paperwork, and, most importantly, time to reflect on the Milton Academy environment and your child.

Milton Academy 170 Centre Street Milton, Massachusetts 02186 617-898-2509 | lmsadmission@milton.edu | www.milton.edu/lower-school