How to Get Into Milton Academy
Key Dates and Information
- Location: Milton, Massachusetts
- Application deadline: January 15, 2027
- Financial aid deadline:
- Current Milton Academy families: January 15, 2027
- New applicants: January 31, 2027
- Admissions tests deadline: January 15, 2027
- Grades 6–8: SSAT or ISEE — test scores required
- Grades 9–10: SSAT or ISEE — test scores optional
- Grade 11: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or the ACT® test— test scores optional
- Admissions interview deadline: January 15, 2027
- In-person and virtual interviews offered
- Admissions decision: March 10, 2027
Introduction
Founded in 1798, Milton Academy is a prestigious college-preparatory school in Milton, Massachusetts, serving students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, with boarding offered starting in Grade 9. It has long been one of the most selective schools in the nation and was one of the top ten most sought-after schools of 2023.
Applying to such a distinguished school can be intimidating, so we’ve created this guide to help you navigate the admissions process to Milton.
We suggest using this guide along with the Test Innovators Admissions Assist courses to create a competitive application. Through our course, you will learn what schools like Milton look for in applicants, how to write excellent essays, and strategies to help ace the interview.
Application
Lower and Middle School candidates apply through Ravenna. Upper School candidates apply through Milton Academy’s application portal using Gateway to Prep Schools or the SSAT Standard Application Online.
The entry grades for Lower and Middle School are Kindergarten, Grade 4, Grade 6, and Grade 7. Students applying to other grades are still encouraged to submit applications, which will be reviewed if spaces are available. Milton Academy does not accept applications for Grade 8.
Upper School applications are accepted for grades 9-11 for boarding students and grades 9-10 for day students.
Here are the application requirements for Lower, Middle, and Upper School at Milton Academy:
First Steps:
- Complete and submit the Request Information form.
- Schedule an interview.
- You can schedule a parent/guardian tour and interview through the Ravenna portal starting in September.
- Interviews are required for families applying to an entry-point grade (Kindergarten and Grade 4).
- Interviews can be held in person, with limited virtual appointments available.
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Steps for the online application:
- Create an account through Ravenna
- Pay the application fee
- $65 for domestic applicants and $125 for international applicants; fee waivers are available
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Send transcripts from the current and previous year.
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Submit teacher recommendation(s).
- Required recommendation from the current classroom teacher.
- Optional recommendation from a former teacher, coach, instructor, etc
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Kindergarten: Complete an individual assessment.
- Scheduled after submitting the online application.
- Kindergarten and Grade 4: Complete a group visit.
- Assigned to each student after submitting the online application.
- Group visits may be waived for applicants applying from out of state or internationally
- Complete the financial aid application (if applicable).
- Deadline: January 15, 2027, for current Milton Academy families.
- Deadline: January 31, 2027, for new applicants
For more information, visit Lower School Admissions Page
First Steps:
- Create an account through Ravenna
- Pay the application fee
- $65 for domestic applicants and $125 for international applicants; fee waivers are available
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Send transcripts from the current and previous year
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Submit letters of recommendation
- Required recommendations: School administrator (principal, head of school, or guidance/placement counselor), current English teacher, and current math teacher
- Optional recommendations: Special interests in arts or athletics, or a supplemental recommendation
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Take the SSAT or ISEE (required)
- Grade 6: Lower Level ISEE or Middle Level SSAT
- Grade 7: Middle Level ISEE or SSAT
- Deadline: Scores must be received by January 15, 2027
- Take the TOEFL Jr. (if applicable)
- Required for applicants whose first language is not English
- The TOEFL Jr. does not replace the SSAT or ISEE
- Complete the financial aid application (if applicable).
- Deadline: January 15, 2027, for current Milton Academy families.
- Deadline: January 31, 2027, for new applicants.
For more information, visit Middle School Admissions Page
First steps:
- Complete and submit the Request Information form
- Schedule an interview
- Applicants and parents/guardians participate in a two-part interview with an admissions team member
- Interviews can be scheduled in person or virtually through Zoom
- Must be completed by January 15, 2027
- Schedule a campus tour if visiting in person
- Take an admissions test (optional)
- Accepted tests:
- Grades 9–10: SSAT or ISEE
- Grade 11: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT
- Testing should be completed during the current academic year and before January 15, 2027
- For applicants who do not speak English as a primary language and/or have not attended an English-speaking school for at least two years, a language exam is strongly recommended
- Recommended exams: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo
- Accepted tests:
Apply online:
- Submit an application through Milton Academy’s application portal using Gateway to Prep Schools or the SSAT Standard Application Online
- Complete the candidate biographic profile
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Pay the application fee
- $65 for domestic applicants and $125 for international applicants; fee waivers are available for families experiencing financial hardship
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Submit short answers and essays
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Submit the parent statement
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Submit a graded writing sample (optional)
- Submit letters of recommendation
- Required recommendations: School administrator, current English teacher, and current math teacher
- Optional recommendations: Personal or special interest recommendation
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Send transcripts from the current year and previous two years
- Current fall-term or semester grades and final grades from the previous two years are required
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Complete the financial aid application (if applicable)
- Deadline: January 15, 2027, for current Milton Academy families.
- Deadline: January 31, 2027, for new applicants
For the most up-to-date information on Milton Academy’s application requirements and deadlines, please see their website for Lower School admissions, Middle School admissions and Upper School admissions.
Admissions Interview
Lower School and Middle School applicants schedule their interviews through the Ravenna portal. Interviews are required for students applying to an entry-level grade (Kindergarten, Grade 4, Grade 6, and Grade 7). Interviews are expected to be in person, with a limited virtual interview option available for families who cannot visit campus. Lower School interviews are only with the parents/guardians and last approximately 45 minutes. Middle School interviews are with the applicant and the parents/guardians and last approximately 45 minutes, with time set aside for both the student and parents/guardians to speak with an admissions officer.
Upper School applicants schedule an interview directly through Milton’s admission portal after submitting the Request Information form. The applicant and their parents/guardians participate in an interview with a member of the Milton admissions team. Interviews are offered in person, along with a virtual option for families who cannot make it to campus. During the interview, the admissions officer speaks with the prospective student and the parents/guardians. Milton has general interview tips to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Interviews must be completed by January 15, 2027. Because appointments fill up quickly, families are encouraged to schedule their interviews as early as possible.
The interview is an integral part of the application, and a great opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate your interest in Milton Academy. It is important for both students and parents to prepare for the interview, so you can express yourself clearly and confidently. Test Innovators’ Interview Prep course helps students and parents practice common interview questions and learn how to best share their story.
We also recommend preparing to explain what drew you to Milton Academy. Review their mission page, and consider what the motto “dare to be true” means to you. Look through their course catalogue, and make note of the courses you would want to take. Check out their on-campus and off-campus programs. Take a look at Milton’s athletic teams and arts departments, and be ready to share your areas of interest as a prospective student. Let your excitement about opportunities at Milton show in your application and
Admissions Tests
Milton Academy accepts the following tests for each grade level:
- Grades 6–8: SSAT or ISEE
- Test scores required.
- Grades 9–10: SSAT or ISEE
- Test scores optional.
- Grade 11: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or the ACT test
- Test scores optional.
Submitting test scores is required for Grades 6–8 and optional for Grades 9–11. If you are applying to the Upper School, you can decide whether to submit your scores as part of your application. We strongly recommend taking an admissions test even if scores are optional.
You can review your scores before sending them to schools, so you can decide whether they will strengthen your application and should be submitted. In short, taking the ISEE or SSAT can only benefit your application and help you stand out.
Test Innovators is here to help you prepare for the SSAT and ISEE. We are an official practice partner for the SSAT and offer the only officially endorsed ISEE prep.
Our practice platform provides full-length practice tests and detailed score analyses with actionable insights that help you target specific areas for improvement. Additionally, you can compare your practice test scores to target score data for Milton Academy and other schools.
To learn more about how Test Innovators can help you prepare, check out our SSAT Prep Guide and ISEE Prep Guide.
Want to get a top score?
Take a small-group class to learn key strategies and boost your knowledge!
Financial Aid Application
Milton Academy is committed to enrolling qualified applicants regardless of their families’ finances and to meeting 100% of demonstrated need. For the 2026–2027 school year, Milton has a financial aid budget of $16.5 million, and 37% of students in Classes I–IV receive financial aid. The first part of the application review process is need-blind, but the final part of the review is need-aware, taking into account available financial aid funds.
To apply for financial aid, families must submit the following materials by January 31st:
- Complete the financial aid application through Clarity.
- Pay the $65 application submission fee.
- Submit the required financial documentation through Clarity.
Families of international students must submit the following materials by January 31st:
- Complete the financial aid application through Clarity.
- Submit 2024 and 2025 tax documents, with an English translation when applicable.
- Submit a letter from parent employer(s) explaining the terms of employment.
- Submit a certificate of finance from banks showing all account balances.
- Submit copies of November and December 2026 bank statements.
Students will be informed of financial aid offers with the offer of admission on March 10th. For more information on financial aid at Milton Academy, please refer to their financial aid page.
Day vs. Boarding
Milton Academy accepts boarding applications for Grades 9–11. Students applying to Grades 9 and 10 who live in the Greater Boston area may apply as day students. Applicants should carefully consider whether they want to attend as a day or boarding student, as changing status after admission is generally not permitted except under unusual circumstances.
Students indicate whether they are applying as a day or boarding student in their application. Otherwise, the application process is generally the same.
For more information about boarding life and residential opportunities, please visit Milton Academy’s website.
Athletics
Milton offers athletic teams in the following sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross country
- Field hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Sailing
- Skiing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Squash
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track
- Ultimate disc
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
To learn more about these teams and the athletic programs at Milton, please visit their athletics page.
Arts
Milton has three departments in its arts program: music, performing arts, and visual arts. Students have opportunities to explore a wide range of artistic interests through classes, ensembles, productions, and other creative activities. Course offerings include areas such as photography, drama, music, and visual arts.
Exploring Milton’s arts offerings is a great way to identify opportunities that align with your interests and that you may want to discuss in your application essays or interview.
For more information about Milton’s arts program and to explore possible classes of interest, please refer to their arts page.
On-Campus and Off-Campus Programs
Milton offers a variety of programs that allow students to learn and to explore interests outside of the classroom. Their on-campus programs include an outdoor program and a community engagement program, and their off-campus programs include opportunities to study abroad and at the Mountain School in Vershire, Vermont. These programs are another great place to draw inspiration for your application essays and interview.
Conclusion
Creating a stand-out application for a school like Milton Academy can be daunting, but Test Innovators is here to help you do your best on admissions tests, essays, and interviews.
Preparation Resources:
- Enroll in our Admissions Assist courses for middle school or upper school
- Learn more about preparing for the SSAT
- Learn more about preparing for the ISEE
- Learn more about Milton Academy
Originally published on July 7, 2022. Updated on August 20, 2024.
