Frequently Asked Questions

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• What makes Millbrook different than other boarding schools?

  SIZE
  Millbrook's enrollment size is intentional—just over 330 students. Unlike some larger independent schools that can feel intimidating, Millbrook is just the opposite:
  

  • students are known
  • faculty-student relationships are meaningful
  • community service is a core identity, not an add-on
  • our motto, Non Sibi Sed Cunctis, is actually lived every day.

  Every student has the chance to step up, lead, and contribute to a community where respect, service, and integrity guide daily life.
  
  One of One
  Millbrook is also the only high school in the world to offer a signature, hands-on education and stewardship experience, where students study advanced college-level science in our living laboratories at the Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo. The academic experience is grounded in our school's ethos of empathy and responsibility.
  
  Location
  Plenty of schools have pretty campuses, but none integrate nature into the academic and residential experience as deeply as Millbrook.
  
  Millbrook is just a 7-minute drive to the train to New York City. We feed simultaneously off the cosmopolitan energy and culture of the city and the incredible natural resources of the Hudson Valley. Our 800-acre campus is:
  

  • expansive yet intimate, traditional yet contemporary.
  • designed for learning and inspiring immense, life-changing ideas.
  • a place where students develop ecological literacy and a real sense of place.
  • a home away from home, designed around stewardship, not consumption.

• What kind of student thrives at Millbrook?

  Students who are curious, open, and eager to contribute to a community thrive here. Whether your child is an artist, athlete, scientist, or a little of everything, they’ll find opportunities to lead and grow. Millbrook students are not just high achievers—they are kind, collaborative, and ready to make a difference.

• How strong are academics at Millbrook?

  Our academics are rigorous and personal. With an average class size of 11–14 students, teachers truly know your child’s strengths and challenges. Advanced and honors courses are available across disciplines, and motivated students can pursue independent studies or semester-away programs. Extra help and peer tutoring are built right into the schedule, so support is always close at hand.

• What is the Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo, and why is it special?

  The Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo is Millbrook’s own AZA-accredited zoo, the only one on a high school campus. Millbrook has been named a leader in environmental education—at the zoo, students care for animals, learn about conservation, and participate in research and breeding programs for endangered species. For many, it sparks lifelong passions in science, veterinary medicine, or environmental studies, and it’s an experience that makes Millbrook students truly stand out.

• How does Millbrook prepare students beyond academics?

  Millbrook emphasizes character and leadership as much as grades. Community service is built into the schedule four days a week, so students take real responsibility, lead projects, and advocate for others. In arts, athletics, dorm life, or service, students find opportunities to grow into confident, compassionate leaders.

• How does Millbrook help students get into top colleges?

  Our college counseling program is highly personalized. Counselors meet with IIIrd and IVth formers (freshmen and sophomores) before beginning one-on-one meetings with Vth and VIth formers (juniors and seniors). They help students identify what matters to them, not just what they’re good at.
  
  Combined with rigorous academics, a strong record of advanced and honors courses, and distinctive experiences in environmental stewardship and educational facilities like the Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo, Millbrook students stand out in college applications. Our graduates attend selective colleges and universities across the country.

• What about arts and athletics?

  Millbrook believes in balance. Every student participates in arts and athletics, often discovering new passions along the way. The Holbrook Arts Center provides professional-level spaces for visual arts, music, and theater, while athletics range from competitive varsity teams to recreational options. There’s room for serious athletes, emerging artists, and students who simply want to try something new.

• How will Millbrook help my child grow?

  More than anything, Millbrook is about shaping young people who lead with integrity and heart. Your child will be challenged academically, inspired creatively, and supported socially, but they’ll also graduate with confidence, purpose, and a deep sense of responsibility. That’s what sets Millbrook graduates apart in college and in life.

• What is boarding life like, and how are students supported when they are away from home?

  With 90% of students boarding, Millbrook is a true residential community. Faculty live on campus, often in the same dorms as students, and act as mentors and role models. Every student has a trusted advisor looking out for them. The campus itself is safe, welcoming, and designed to feel like a second home.

• How diverse is Millbrook's community?

  Millbrook students come from across the U.S. (24 states) and around the world (16 countries), resulting in an overall student body that is 31% students of color. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging are important values here, not just words on paper. Students are encouraged to share their perspectives, celebrate differences, and learn from one another in meaningful ways.