Ever wonder what makes Belmont Hill School so unique? Founded in 1923, Belmont Hill began with just 45 boys and seven faculty members. The school started in a refitted suburban manor house. This house had a brief stint as a model home for a failed real estate project.
Reginald Heber Howe, the founding headmaster, lived on the second floor. Imagine classes and study sessions on the ground floor. Scholars found their nests on the third floor and in a nearby farmhouse. Today, that red brick house remains the hub of the expanded Belmont Hill campus. Nine heads of school and their families have since resided there.
Belmont Hill was established by seven young professionals. These nearby residents and Harvard alumni sought a healthy alternative to boarding school. They wanted quality education and college preparation for their sons and friends. Interestingly, despite their commitment to the day school movement, early catalogs mentioned options for seven and five-day boarding students. The five-day option continues today.
Dr. Howe and the faculty emphasized a family-type atmosphere. High standards of scholarship were crucial. They also valued a rich daily life filled with studies, arts, and athletics. The entire school community was encouraged to participate. On October 19, 1923, Charles W. Eliot, President Emeritus of Harvard, gave the dedicatory address. He was 89 years old and arrived in an open touring car.
Choosing Dr. Howe to lead Belmont Hill was fortunate. He was seasoned at Middlesex School. He was a world authority on lichens and dragonflies. Plus, he was a zealous coach of rowing. Balance and idealism were vital to Howe. He insisted on accepting boys with strong character and potential. Even if they were academic risks, they got a chance. Dr. Howe and the faculty offered individualized support. These principles have guided Belmont Hill for over nine decades.
Belmont Hill currently enrolls about 470 boys in grades 7 to 12. The school is divided into the Middle School and Upper School. Belmont Hill’s motto is Providentia, Studium, Fidelitas. This translates to Foresight, Zeal, Loyalty.
The school’s rowing team has won five national championships. Its ice hockey team has produced Olympic gold medalists. They have also produced Hobey Baker Award winners.
Belmont Hill’s endowment stands at $133 million. The campus spans 37 acres. The school maintains a small five-day boarding program.
Athletics have been valued at Belmont Hill since its beginning. Reginald Howe coached the Harvard varsity crew. He hired young men as faculty who excelled in athletics and academics. As of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Belmont Hill has educated 16 Olympians.
The Jordan Athletic Center includes basketball courts and a hockey rink. It also has a wrestling room and squash courts. Belmont Hill competes in the Independent School League.
The arts are also a key part of the Belmont Hill experience. The school has a sister-school relationship with Winsor School and holds joint social events with Dana Hall School and Newton Country Day School.
Belmont Hill strives to develop men of good character. The school encourages students to pursue passions and seek excellence. They face adversity with resilience. Belmont Hill instills ethical judgment and a lifelong love of learning.