Head of School

Jonathan Downs '98
B.A., M.A. Middlebury College
Ed.M. Harvard University
Appointed 2021

Mr. Downs is Millbrook's 7th head of school since 1931.

Location

800-acre campus outside the village of Millbrook, NY (Dutchess County)

7 miles to Metro North Train
53 miles to the Berkshires, MA
68 miles to Hartford, CT
75 miles to Albany, NY
90 miles to New York City, NY

Closest airports:
Westchester County (HPN)
LaGuardia International (LGA)
John F. Kennedy (JFK)
Albany International (ALB)
Bradley International (BDL)

Academics

  • Rigorous college preparatory education
  • 37 Advanced/AP classes
  • Average class size: 11
  • Student-teacher ratio, 4:1
  • Advanced Placement and Honors courses
  • Ribbon schedule with four classes per day and a mix of all-school gatherings, community service, advisory meetings, and extra help sessions in between every academic class 
  • Independent studies, study abroad, and semester away opportunities
  • Culminating experience for seniors
  • Unique hands-on learning at the Trevor Zoo where students interact daily with over 180 exotic and indigenous animals.
  • Academic support in the Colhoun Academic Center, extra help sessions built into the academic schedule 4 times per week, and peer tutoring

Core Values

  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Service
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Curiosity

Students

  • 325 students (90% boarding, 10% day)
  • 23% domestic students of color, 33% overall students of color
  • The current Millbrook student body represents 23 states and 12 foreign countries

Faculty

  • 50 teachers in academic departments
  • 75% hold advanced degrees.
  • Non-teaching faculty/administrators also involved in daily activities with students 

    All faculty members serve as advisors, have community service responsibilities, and are coaches and advisors to students and/or student activities.

Athletics

  • 38 teams
  • 14 interscholastic sports
  • 11 athletic alternatives
  • 100 Mustang athletes playing at the collegiate level in the past five years

Residential & Student Life

  • On-campus community service program allows students to choose from over 35 different services and participate in the daily operation of the school
  • Nine dormitories range from 23 to 44 students, each with five dorm faculty and two to four residential student prefects
  • 25 student-run clubs
  • Eight affinity groups

Arts

  • 11 art disciplines
  • 25 art courses
  • Performance groups include:
    • Millbrook Singers
    • Dance
    • Millbrook Groove (instrumental ensemble)
    • Improv
    • Drama (fall) and Musical (winter)
  • 80% of Millbrook students take an art course each semester
  • All arts under one roof in the 33,400 sq. ft. Holbrook Arts Center