Millbrook School

Millbrook School is a private, co-educational boarding school located in New York State, founded in 1931. It spans approximately 800 acres and is about 90 miles from New York City. The school is known for its ecological education, practical learning, and close-knit community atmosphere, making it ideal for students who appreciate natural environments, have strong hands-on abilities, and seek comprehensive development.
School Advantages:
1. Exceptional Ecological and Environmental Education: The school boasts the Trevor Zoo, a rare on-campus zoo in the U.S., housing over 80 species of animals (including endangered ones). Students can participate in animal care and ecological management, combining practical learning with biology and environmental science courses to truly "learn by doing."
2. Comprehensive Sustainability System: The school places high importance on environmental protection and sustainable development. The campus features a solar power system, and students can engage in real environmental projects, resource recycling, and ecological conservation practices beyond classroom learning.
3. Small Class Elite Teaching: With an average class size of approximately 11 students and a student-teacher ratio of about 1:4, teachers provide a very high level of attention. This is suitable for students who require personalized support and desire more interaction with faculty.
4. Distinctive Arts Programs: The Millbrook Singers choral program is particularly notable, and there are ample opportunities in drama and musical theater. Overall, the arts education is practice-oriented, making it suitable for students who enjoy performing and comprehensive profile enhancement.
5. Abundant Community Service Opportunities: These opportunities cover areas such as environmental protection, animal welfare, and community support. Students are required to actively participate in management and service, fostering a strong sense of responsibility.

The teachers and the school are both very warm and welcoming.

Millbrook is the only American boarding school with a zoo, and the daily experience of children caring for animals at Trevor Zoo is truly unique. Academically, while the school is relatively stronger in humanities, its math, biology, and chemistry programs are also not weak. For students who excel, the school offers independent research projects, allowing them to customize their own research. Sports programs vary each season, and students can choose according to their interests; Varsity and Junior Varsity teams require tryouts to join. During long weekends, school staff will take international students on trips by car or even plane. Ms. Wen, who is responsible for the management and communication with international students, cares deeply for the children; international students celebrating their birthdays in the same month gather to celebrate and eat 'birthday noodles'. The number of Chinese students at the school is not large, but they are all united and friendly.

The campus scenery is picturesque, classmates are friendly, and the teacher-student relationship is good. The student life department is well-managed, and the curriculum is comprehensive. Sports and arts courses are abundant, and the hardware facilities are excellent. Community activities are very rich, providing students with opportunities to try different fields. International department teachers provide meticulous care to students. We are satisfied with our initial choice; it's a school loved by both children and parents.

Full boarding, with a beautiful campus. It is the only high school in the United States with a zoo. The entire school is like a big family, offering exposure to diverse cultures. There are dedicated teachers for international students, who prioritize their needs. The academic environment is relatively relaxed.

Having interacted with Millbrook School over the past few years, we believe it is a trustworthy institution. The teachers are not only diligent and responsible in academic matters but also provide feedback to parents regarding the children's health. Our child quickly adapted to the school's life and learning pace after enrolling, which is inseparable from the teachers' regular communication and assistance. Regarding safety, a major concern for parents, the school has strict management, and teachers even accompany students on shopping trips on weekends. The activities are very rich, allowing students to explore more of themselves in campus life.

As parents of a current student, we are delighted to see our child making significant progress at Millbrook, whether academically, in daily life, or through sports and club activities.
The school does not have a high proportion of international students, and there aren't many Chinese children. However, the Chinese children at the school are very united and friendly. Ms. Wen, who is in charge of international students, is particularly responsible and enthusiastic. Each month, she prepares "longevity noodles" for students celebrating their birthdays. During the Chinese New Year, a festival with distinct Chinese characteristics, Ms. Wen also organizes children to make and eat dumplings, allowing them to experience the flavor of Chinese New Year at Millbrook.

The school is located an hour and a half drive from New York City. The campus is very large, and the environment is excellent. Before enrollment, teachers arrange course selections based on students' abilities in various subjects, allowing them to meet more classmates. Students can also seek extra help from teachers to get their questions answered. Teachers are very caring about students' studies and lives. There are teachers who speak Chinese and are responsible for international students; they organize activities during Chinese festivals and other occasions. During long weekends, the school takes international students on excursions outside the campus. Classmates are also very friendly; when I first arrived at the dormitory, everyone I met greeted me warmly. My child is very happy studying here.

The school is located an hour and a half drive from New York City. The campus is large and the environment is excellent. Before enrollment, teachers arrange course selection based on students' abilities in various subjects, allowing them to meet more classmates, and students can seek help from teachers for questions and answers through extra help sessions. Teachers are very concerned about students' studies and lives. There are teachers fluent in Chinese who are responsible for international students. During Chinese festivals and other occasions, they organize various activities, and on long weekends, the school takes international students out for excursions. Classmates are also very friendly. The first time my child arrived at the dormitory, everyone they met greeted them warmly. My child is very happy studying here.

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As a parent of a current student, I'm specifically leaving this message here because Millbrook is absolutely an underestimated school!
Firstly, regarding campus safety, which Chinese parents tend to worry about, you can rest assured. The school has strict management and implements different management requirements and measures for children of different grades. It has strict control measures and requirements for issues such as bullying, discrimination, substance abuse (DP), and other concerns parents might have.
Secondly, the school excels in humanistic care, providing excellent care and services for international students. The entire school feels like a big family, and children can quickly adapt to the environment. This is also related to the appropriate number of students enrolled and the high teacher-to-student ratio. For example, there are special arrangements for international students for two long weekend trips a year, with teachers leading rich activities; international students are arranged to go shopping on weekends; and various themed activities are organized.
Academically, the school also provides children with an excellent platform and curriculum, offering abundant academic resources. Most teachers live on campus, are highly responsible, and very patient. Children can communicate with teachers up close and resolve issues promptly.
It's especially worth mentioning that the school has its own zoo. Children can apply to participate in community service at the zoo from 9th grade, fostering their compassion and sense of responsibility while working.

As a parent of a current student, I'm specifically leaving this message here: Millbrook is absolutely an underrated school!
Firstly, regarding campus safety, which is a major concern for Chinese parents, you can rest assured. The school has strict management, implementing different management requirements and measures for children of different grades. It has strict control measures and requirements concerning issues parents worry about, such as bullying, discrimination, drug/alcohol use (DP likely refers to drug/party culture or disciplinary issues), etc.
Secondly, the school excels in humanistic care, providing excellent care and services for international students. The entire school feels like a big family, allowing children to quickly adapt to the environment. This is also related to the appropriate student population and high teacher-to-student ratio. For example, there are twice-yearly long weekend trips specifically arranged for international students, with teachers leading rich activity schedules; international students are arranged to go shopping on weekends; and various themed activities are organized.
Academically, the school also provides children with an excellent platform and curriculum, offering abundant academic resources. Most teachers live on campus, are highly responsible, and very patient. Children can communicate with teachers directly to resolve issues promptly.
It's particularly worth mentioning that the school has its own zoo. Children can apply to perform community service at the zoo starting from 9th grade, cultivating their compassion and responsibility while working.

The Millbrook campus is beautiful, and it's the only high school in the U.S. with its own zoo. Students' community service offers unique opportunities to care for animals and study animal behavior. The 1:4 student-to-teacher ratio gives parents peace of mind about their children's boarding life, as teachers know the students very well. Academically, the school's style is to encourage children to challenge themselves diligently, building upon a solid foundation of learning.

The school is very beautiful. The teachers are very concerned about the daily lives of the students. Ms. Wen, the teacher in charge of international students, also takes very good care of the children. The children really enjoy the various activities on campus. There are also many diverse and rich charity activities. The children are vibrant and full of energy.

Millbrook School not only boasts responsible and capable teachers for various teaching tasks, but also offers a rich curriculum. In addition to AP and Honors courses, the school provides dedicated SAT and ACT preparatory courses, academic support, and more.

The school's educational hardware facilities are also comprehensive, including multiple science and math labs, an art gallery, a theater, a photography studio, a sports center, etc. Among Millbrook's most distinctive academic features is its newly constructed Math and Science Center, a building certified with the internationally recognized LEED award for green building.

Millbrook School sits on an 800-acre campus, featuring wetlands, boardwalks, natural forests, a 6-acre Trevor Zoo, an observatory, and a weather station. These resources greatly facilitate students' science learning. For example, environmental science students utilize all these resources to study fundamental ecological principles and analyze human impact on the biosphere. The course's approach is both scientific and multidisciplinary, requiring students to use the best scientific theories, research, and data to understand various contemporary environmental issues and perspectives.

Millbrook School, founded in 1931, is a co-educational private day and boarding secondary school, offering quality education for grades 9 to 12. Its curriculum includes various academic subjects, community service, sports, and arts programs, with a strong emphasis on developing students' leadership skills.

Since its establishment, the school has encouraged students not only to be healthy and strong but also to become qualified citizens who care about the world and the environment. The school's philosophy is to foster the harmonious development of students in moral, intellectual, physical, cognitive, emotional, and volitional aspects, thereby shaping individuals who are not only self-sufficient but also useful to society.

Founded: 1931
School Type: Co-ed
Grades: 9-12
Location: New York State
Boarding Ratio: 90%
International Student Ratio: 12%
Student-Teacher Ratio: 1:4
2024 FS Ranking: 63
2024 Niche State Ranking: 15
School Website: http://www.millbrook.org

Millbrook School data: 315 students, student-teacher ratio 1:4, 12% international students, 90% boarding rate, 80% teachers with advanced degrees. Millbrook School, founded in 1931, is a co-educational boarding college preparatory school located 90 miles north of New York City, offering quality education for grades 9-12, including various academic courses, community service, sports, and arts programs, with an emphasis on developing student leadership. The school's educational goal is to promote the intellectual, emotional, and physical growth of each student, ultimately enabling them to realize their potential in life and create greater social value. Since its establishment, the school has encouraged students not only to be healthy and strong but also to become responsible citizens who care about the world and the environment, with all students participating in on-campus community service. The school offers a variety of honors, AP, and elective courses, as well as independent study, comprehensive projects for seniors, and inter-term programs. The school currently has over 280 students, with an 800-acre campus featuring advanced facilities including the Mills Athletic Center, Holbrook Arts Center, Trevor Zoo (accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, AZA), and a LEED Gold certified Math and Science Center.

The strength of Millbrook School's academic program lies not only in the quality of its courses and the ability of its teachers, but more precisely, in the attitude of its teachers and students, in the atmosphere and state of each class, and in every interaction between teachers and students. Millbrook classrooms are places of mutual respect between teachers and students, where the free exchange of ideas and opinions is most valued. Within the framework of a traditional, rigorous college preparatory curriculum, Millbrook encourages students to be proactive learners, to develop curiosity, and to actively participate. Millbrook teachers understand that the success of any educational endeavor depends on the students' vitality and effort, and on the acquisition of knowledge and skills. When students challenge themselves, listen carefully to their peers, push their own limits, and question their assumptions, then their abilities in effective reading, clear writing, and independent thinking are enhanced. Students come to Millbrook seeking excellent teachers and exciting courses, and in doing so, they also discover themselves.

Millbrook School offers a wide range of English courses, from foundational Levels 1 through 6, up to the highest-level AP English, designed to meet the needs of students with diverse language proficiency levels. Millbrook School's AP English is a year-long CL course, and participation is by recommendation only from a Level 6 teacher. Beyond enhancing English proficiency, this course also helps students prepare for the AP English exam techniques. However, the core objective of this course is to foster students' active exploration of complex and comprehensive reading materials and to further refine and revise their modes of expression. The first semester is dedicated to systematically studying Elizabethan Romantic British literature, including Shakespeare's *Hamlet*, *The Merchant of Venice*, *The Tempest*, and other contemporary works such as *Wuthering Heights*, *Pride and Prejudice*, *The Importance of Being Earnest*, and Tom Stoppard's *Arcadia*, among others. Teachers will also engage students in short readings, including essays and poems by Shakespeare, Donne, Swift, Pope, Blake, Wordsworth, and Keats. As the course progresses, students will gradually transition to modern world literature, deeply analyzing works such as *Crime and Punishment*, *The Metamorphosis*, *The Stranger*, Eliot's poetry, and James Joyce's short stories.

Millbrook provides a high-quality education for grades 9 through 12, encompassing a variety of academic subjects, community service, athletics, and arts programs, with a strong emphasis on developing student leadership. Since its establishment in 1931, the school has encouraged students not only to be healthy and strong but also to become qualified citizens who care about the world and the environment. All students participate in on-campus community service. The school also offers honors courses, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, numerous electives, independent studies, comprehensive projects for seniors, and inter-term break programs.

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If a student's spoken English isn't good, will the school provide any help?

Admissions Officer:
Of course, we will do our best to help students. Many boarding junior high schools offer ESL courses, as students are younger and their language expression abilities may be slightly weaker. Therefore, students coming from boarding junior high schools have already adapted to American campus life and have stronger communication skills. Students can also attend summer school; many schools have excellent summer school programs, such as ESL courses that genuinely replicate American classrooms, including studying American literature and writing courses, and students also live in school dormitories. Regarding extracurricular interests, if your performance in art or music is not outstanding, for example, having studied piano for three years and merely presenting some related information on your resume, that's not ideal. However, some children who have persevered in learning piano for 10 years due to strong parental pressure might genuinely be very talented in music, even if they don't necessarily have great passion for learning it. The same applies to attitudes towards learning science and mathematics courses. It's just that the environment forces them to learn, but it's hard to say they have genuine motivation for what they are studying.

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For many Chinese students, this is their first time living in the United States and studying at Millbrook. Will your school provide them with some assistance in their first academic year to help them better adapt to school life?

Admissions Officer:
Of course. Every international student will have a dedicated advisor, two of whom live on campus. Before the start of the first semester, they will help students register their I20, arrange airport pick-up, and so on. The international student advisor will provide a lot of help to students, and after official enrollment, other advisors will also guide students.
Between the winter and spring semesters, we have four relatively long weekend breaks, a one-week Thanksgiving break, and two-and-a-half-week holidays in March and December. During all long breaks, the school will be closed. For international students, dormitory doors will close the morning after students have left, but besides the dorms, no other facilities will be open. Therefore, during long breaks, we require students to find other places to vacation.
Additionally, students must provide us with emergency contact information for parents, relatives, or friends. If they do not have travel plans for the holidays, the locations of these contacts are where they can stay. In New York City, it is not difficult for students to find a place to stay. However, we will actually keep one dorm open, which can accommodate about fifteen to twenty people, and also provide some programs to help students spend their short breaks.

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Unique Advantages:

Admissions Officer:
Millbrook students' daily life is not just about completing homework and attending classes on time; rather, it involves more meaningful activities, such as participating in varsity sports and joining music clubs, where students fulfill more than just the obligations of a student. Most students are boarders, and our instructors and full-time staff also live on campus. The relationships among every member in the school are very close; everyone knows each other well. One student's golf coach might be another student's math teacher. Students and staff interact like a big family. Furthermore, we have 25 types of volunteer service projects that students can choose from, which is also one of our school's missions. For example, students will use their free time to do volunteer activities like recycling. Staff members also participate, working with students to recycle plastic bottles and other valuable items.

For students interested in biology, Millbrook offers a wealth of resources. In terms of curriculum, the school offers Animal Behavior, making full use of its on-campus zoo for learning. There are independent scientific research projects where students can choose to conduct original experiments, contribute to existing experiments, assist with data collection for campus research, or collaborate with local scientists. Research completed as part of this course will be presented in formal scientific papers and at the Millbrook Annual Science Symposium.

Millbrook School Features:
* The school boasts the only zoo in the US built on a high school campus, allowing students to become companions with over 180 animals from up to 80 species, caring for and learning about them, and participating in the conservation of 8 endangered species. The school's Conservation Action Center continuously makes positive efforts in protecting the Earth and ecological balance. It also opens a window for students to understand and collaborate with numerous conservation organizations and government platforms such as the World Wildlife Fund, Earthwatch Institute, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to name a few. For students interested in biology, chemistry, medicine, environmental science, or veterinary studies, it is truly a learning paradise.
* Diverse and rich curriculum: Over 31 science and mathematics courses, such as astronomy, design thinking and fabrication, climate change, independent scientific research, statistics, and programming fundamentals; world languages include French, Latin, Spanish film and culture, among others; 38 art courses inspire every child's creativity.
* Comprehensive hardware educational facilities: Including multiple science and mathematics laboratories, an art gallery, a theater, a photography studio, a sports center, etc.
* The recruitment of students and teachers is inclusive of various nationalities and ethnicities, prioritizing talent. This, to some extent, promotes students' spirit of inclusion and global vision.

Millbrook's campus is located 90 miles north of New York City (Dutchess County), in the beautiful countryside of the Mid-Hudson River Valley region. It spans 800 acres, including rolling hills, forests, wetlands, sports fields, trails (for walkers or horseback riders), and the campus itself. Resembling a traditional New England village, its front features the Flagler Memorial Chapel, while red brick and white clapboard buildings form the square. There are eight dormitories, school buildings, a dining hall, the Mills Athletic Center, the Holbrook Arts Center, the Frederick C. Hamilton Math and Science Center, and more.

School Advantages:

1. **Strong Science Program:** Given the campus location and its expanding farm, botany naturally complements Millbrook's science curriculum. Environmental science and biology are taught by a scientist with 20 years of experience, holding degrees in plant and soil science and conservation biology.
2. **Unique Biology & Botany Opportunities:** Students can conduct DNA sequencing related to the reproductive capabilities of endangered red pandas, and engage in scientific research on marine biology and Hudson River cyanobacteria plumes.
3. **Unique Zoo:** Engage in unique hands-on learning at the Trevor Zoo, where students can interact daily with over 180 species of exotic and indigenous animals.
4. **7-Acre Solar Field:** Provides resources for students interested in environmental science to study basic ecological principles.
5. **RIS2C:** An experiential learning program that offers students opportunities outside the classroom to explore and practice stewardship, service, and curiosity.

“The world is transforming, sometimes we are too focused on the end result while forgetting to appreciate the beginning and enjoying the process.”－M. Grover
“The world is changing, sometimes we are too focused on the final outcome, forgetting to appreciate all beginnings and enjoying the process.”－Millbrook School International Admissions Officer
A comfortable environment did not lead to a lax learning attitude; the arrangement of Millbrook classroom tables and chairs once again echoes its 'universal participation' teaching philosophy. Every classroom desk is U-shaped, fundamentally eliminating the concerns of teachers and parents about 'sitting in the back row and not participating'. To ensure the existing cohesion of the campus, students who wish to enter Millbrook must undergo a double interview with the Director of Admissions and the Head of School. The equal emphasis on academic and character education has garnered Millbrook considerable attention in inland regions.

After seeing the school gate, one still has to drive about a mile to reach the main school building. Along this mile-long road, there are no lush trees or school sports fields, but a zoo belonging to the school itself. Outside the school cafeteria window is a large open-air garden, where students and teachers grow vegetables and fruits. All of this is designed to remind students in every way to be grateful to nature, because from a biological perspective, that is the beginning of everything.
From a sociological perspective, Millbrook hopes that its students will have equal gratitude towards their parents. This means cherishing the fruits of their parents' labor in daily life, and understanding their parents' painstaking efforts emotionally. Every so often, some students go to the garden to dig potatoes to use as ingredients for that evening's dinner; each semester, the school holds large-scale elections, and the elected leaders are tasked with the heavy responsibility of serving their constituents. Unlike the traditional Chinese concept of "class cadres," at Millbrook, students are cultivated from a young age with a democratic consciousness and the sense of responsibility a leader should possess. The overall structure of the school also mimics the design concept of a courtyard, allowing students to feel the warmth and cohesion of a home during their four years there. At the end of each semester, students, under the guidance of the school, thank their parents for their efforts and hard work over the past year.
After interacting with nearly a thousand students who are studying or are about to study in the US, I have observed that due to the impact of the one-child policy and the spoiling caused by the difficult living conditions experienced by many parents in their youth, today's children take everything for granted and lack a sense of gratitude.

• 800-acre campus: Includes wetlands, streams, forests, and the Trevor Zoo, providing numerous unique learning opportunities for science. For example, environmental science students utilize all these resources to study fundamental ecological principles and analyze human impact on the biosphere. The course's approach is both scientific and multidisciplinary, requiring students to use the best scientific theories, research, and data to understand various contemporary environmental issues and perspectives.
• Rich Curriculum: In addition to offering AP and Honors courses, the school also provides specialized SAT and ACT preparatory courses.
• Advanced Teaching Facilities: Millbrook's most distinctive academic feature is arguably its newly constructed Math and Science Center. This center is a LEED-certified green building, an internationally recognized environmental award, housing laboratories for four scientific disciplines: chemistry, biology, physics, and general science, as well as facilities for advanced academic research. There are five mathematics labs alone. Students can also explore and conduct research in natural environments outside the labs, such as wetlands, streams, forests, and the zoo, at any time.

Millbrook School, founded in 1931 and located 90 miles north of New York City, is a co-educational private day and boarding secondary school. Currently, international students make up 10% of the student body, and boarding students make up 80%.

The school's educational philosophy is to foster the coordinated development of students in moral, intellectual, physical, cognitive, emotional, and volitional aspects, thereby shaping individuals who are not only self-sufficient but also useful to society.

The school is the only high school in the United States with its own zoo. The Trevor Zoo houses 80 species, including 8 endangered species, and covers over 6 acres. Nearby schools often organize students to visit for hands-on biology lessons.

In addition to offering AP and honors courses, the school also provides specialized SAT and ACT preparatory courses. Millbrook's most distinctive feature in academics is undoubtedly its newly built Math and Science Center, which has received certification from the internationally recognized green building standard LEED.

Off-campus programs are also rich and varied. The school encourages students to participate in Millbrook's off-campus activities, including: international travel and language study, community service programs, outdoor adventures, scientific research, visual and performing arts courses, and sports programs.