This page includes answers to some of the most commonly asked parent questions, important information from the Business Office, and travel information from the Dean of Students Office.

If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please call the main school telephone number, 845-677-8261, during business hours Monday through Friday or the AOD or MOD at 845-670-3955 during evening hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 11 frequently asked questions.

From the Business Office

List of 6 items.

  • Information for International Students

    Millbrook charges an international student fee of $4,500.00 per year to help support the international student program. Those who require an I-20 to study in the United States are assessed this fee in the July billing.

    The international student advisors coordinate activities in this program by:
    1. Helping with the orientation of international students to Millbrook School.
    2. Planning activities on-campus and off-campus, which allows the students to become more familiar with each other and with areas of local and historical interest.
    3. Working as a liaison with the students' faculty advisors.
    4. Acting as a resource for content area teachers of students for whom English is a second language.
    5. Working with the Admission Office and the dean of faculty to ensure the proper placement in academic courses.
    6. Handling matters of insurance and visas.
    7. Helping to locate homestays or other accommodations for students during long weekends and vacations.
    8. Counseling the students.
    9. Serving as a resource for the faculty and as a link with all the administrative offices.
    Our coordinators of the International Student Program are Zhaohong Wen and Annabella Goshen. Please feel free to contact either of them at (845) 677-8261 or via email at ISoffice@millbrook.org.
  • Instructions for Wiring Money to Millbrook School

    Please log in to the Millbrook website and refer to wiring information from the Business Office available on the parent Resources board.
  • Transportation - Buses

    When & Where: Millbrook School runs buses for Thanksgiving, winter break, and spring break, directly to and from the following local airports: Bradley International (BDL), LaGuardia (LGA), John F. Kennedy (JFK). All flights must be coordinated around the bus schedule if you choose to participate.

    Please note that busing is only available to the Metro-North Railroad Wassaic Train Station for all other breaks, open weekends, and long weekends, including fall and spring parents weekends. Any airport travel that needs to be coordinated during one of these times must be coordinated personally. 

    Busing is also not available for opening days, and, therefore, students and their families are expected to coordinate their own travel to campus for the start of school. 

    Cost: The cost of a bus ticket is $100 each way. Fees are non-refundable. All fees associated with busing are charged to the student's My Millbrook Spending account.

    How to Sign Up: Students who wish to participate in transportation services should fill out the appropriate form available on our general Transportation pagePlease note that a separate form must be submitted for each student (e.g., siblings must complete separate forms). 
     
  • Transportation - Car Services

    While Millbrook School does not coordinate car services/individual transport, families are welcome to personally arrange for individual transportation for their student(s) if busing will not suit them. Please find below some local transportation providers:
    The transportation companies listed above are provided for general informational purposes only. Use of any of these companies is at your own risk. Millbrook School does not arrange private transportation nor does Millbrook School endorse private transportation providers.
  • Transportation - Trains

    Metro-North:
    The closest train station for service to New York City is Wassaic, New York (Metro-North Harlem Line with service to NYC). The station is 15 minutes from school. The school provides free transportation to/from the train station before and after breaks and long weekends and on open weekends. Train tickets can be purchased at the station with cash or credit card or online with a credit card. Click here to visit the Metro-North website. 

    Amtrak:
    Amtrak services Poughkeepsie, NY (POU) with connecting service north and south (50 minutes from school to the station). Amtrak tickets must be purchased by the student (online or at the station). For schedules, tickets, and information please visit www.amtrak.com.
  • Travel Requirements and Guidelines for Students

    To aid in your transportation from and to school, the following information should be of help:

    1. Make transportation arrangements ASAP.  If traveling by air, confirm flight schedule(s) and please check with airline prior to departure to make certain there are no delays or cancellations. This information should get to the dean of students office well in advance of your travel so that we can make arrangements to get you to the airport or train station on time.

    2. Plan to arrive at the airport :
    One hour prior to scheduled departure for domestic flights
    Two hours prior to scheduled departure for international flights.

    3. Luggage - carry-on luggage is greatly restricted. Check with your particular airline prior to flight.
    The following items cannot be packed in carry-on luggage:
    A. Knives of any length
    B. Cutting instruments of any kind (metallic or non-metallic) including carpet knives, box cutters and other folding or retractable blades, regardless of length
    C. Items such as ice picks, straight razors, elongated scissors and knitting needles. (Safety/disposable razors, such as Bic and Gillette, are allowed)
    D. Presently, liquids and gels of any kind
    4. Bring photo identification - needed for check-in and boarding process. If you are traveling overseas, bring your passport. If you are an international student who will be returning to the US, please bring your passport and I-20 (make sure it is signed by International Student Advisor Mrs. Wen). Driver’s license or passport will meet identification requirements as well as a photo ID from Millbrook School.

    5. Bring your tickets! According to American Airlines, “Passenger screening checkpoints will only accept those passengers with a ticket or ticket confirmation for the current travel date. A ticket or ticket confirmation includes a paper ticket, a boarding pass, official travel agency or airline-generated itinerary receipt confirming an electronic ticket, or airline/airport issued entrance document.”

    6. Security Checkpoints. You most likely will be asked to have carry-on items thoroughly checked - see list above of items not to bring with you in your carry-on bag. Be prepared to be stopped at various times in airports for random checks for identification, tickets, or even bags. DO NOT LOCK LUGGAGE TO BE CHECKED. KEEP VALUABLES WITH YOU.

    DO NOT LEAVE ANY BAG UNATTENDED AT ANY TIME. Be patient and attentive to requests made. Be alert at all airports.

    7. Returning to Millbrook School - you will have made arrangements to be picked up at airports or train terminals before you leave school. Make sure you know the name of the person who will provide your transportation back to Millbrook. You normally will meet the carrier at the end of the baggage claim location.  IF YOU ARE DELAYED, PLEASE CALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE ARE AWARE OF YOUR DELAYED ARRIVAL.

    If you have any questions before you leave, please check with Dean of Students Anna Birnbaum.

List of 6 items.

  • What is "My Millbrook Spending"?

    • It is a debit system. All student charges, with the exception of tuition, will be processed through the My Millbrook Spending debit system. Although we will not be issuing a card, the idea is similar to an ATM card in that purchases and withdrawals can only be made as long as there is a sufficient balance in the account to cover the transaction.
    • Every student is required to have a My Millbrook Spending account.
    • An initial deposit of $1,000 for boarding students and $500 for day students is recommended to activate the account.
    • The debit system gives our students a valuable and realistic financial experience while allowing parents to retain control over their child’s spending.
  • How does it work?

    • A student’s use of the system is divided into two categories, discretionary and non-discretionary.
    • Parents can place limits in some categories, beyond which the system will not authorize spending.
    • Statements will be emailed once a month to the preferred email address that you provide on the worksheet, along with a copy to the student.
    • Unused balances will be returned when a student completes their education at Millbrook School.
  • What do I have to do?

    • Parents complete and submit the required online My Millbrook Spending form between July and August in order to establish the initial account and spending parameters.
    • Fund your initial deposit. Ways to fund the account are listed below. Along with My Millbrook Spending, we would like to introduce you to MyKidsSpending.com. This user-friendly website allows parents to fund and view the debit account at any time. The system synchronizes with our database once a day, providing up-to-date information on your student’s spending in each category. Even if you choose to fund the account by sending a check, we would like to encourage you to sign up with this website. Setting up an account is a very simple process, all you will need is your student’s ID number (which you can view on your student's profile when logged in to the school website) and your preferred email address.
  • How do I fund the account?

    • MyKidsSpending.com: via credit card or electronic check. This can be at your discretion or by setting up auto replenish (via EFT). We highly recommend this feature since checks sent directly to Millbrook School could take up to 5 business days to arrive and be processed.
    • Wire Transfer: Please reference student name, and “MMS” in memo field. Wire information is available for domestic families here. International parents may fund their student's MMS account via Flywire or PayMyTuition - contact the Business Office if you will fund via either of these options.
    • EFT: You may set up a one-time direct debit from a US checking account. You can download an ACH form so that we can debit your account. Please contact Christina Tellerday in the Business Office via email or phone (845-677-5361) should you have any questions.
    • Mail a check to: Millbrook School, Attn: Business Office. Please indicate your student’s name and “MMS” in the memo field on the check.
    • In-person in the Business Office at Millbrook School.
  • What are the spending categories?

    The following provides an explanation of each spending category for which the My Millbrook Spending debit system will be used. Funds within debit accounts are NOT held within specific categories. 

    Non-Discretionary Purchases: involve purchases which are generally essential in nature and cannot be restricted except by the availability of funds in the account.
    • Academic Supplies: Includes teacher handouts, other academically required items, and laundry cards.
    • Transportation: Includes transportation to and from airports, bus, train stations, and health center related transportation charges. The amount in this category can vary widely depending on your student’s travel requirements.
    • Athletic Charges: Generally, students participating in interscholastic sports will be issued uniforms by the school. Charges to this category would include required athletic clothing and equipment. Personal items, such as footwear, gloves, skates, rackets, lacrosse sticks, and hockey sticks, etc., will be the student’s responsibility.
    • Health Center: This category covers all health-related charges, such as vaccinations, infirmary charges, and prescriptions.
    • Miscellaneous: This category covers all student charges not provided for in other expense categories. Items to be included are academic testing, lab fees, library charges, room or property damage, and postage.
    Discretionary Purchases: Those which supplement the core school programs, and although we do not require restrictions, spending limits can be placed on the following areas. 

    Please note: students will not be able to make discretionary purchases unless funds are available. 
    • Personal Allowance: Is your student’s access to cash for off campus personal spending. There is a default limit of $25/week. This amount can be increased or decreased. Parental permission will be required to exceed restricted limits. (See Extraordinary Cash Withdrawals below). 
    • Extraordinary Withdrawals: This category is to cover special cash requirements not covered by personal allowance. Specific instructions are required for release of funds. Written parental permission must be emailed (myspending@millbrook.org) or faxed (845) 677-0339, and must be received 48 hours in advance.
    • School Store: Provides school supplies, toiletries, and various clothing items.
    • Snack Bar: Provides food outside dining service hours.
  • Is there a minimum balance requirement?

    We suggest an ongoing balance of $100 during the school year. On April 15th, MMS will automatically set a $100 spending threshold to all VIth formers' accounts to ensure that all last-minute charges and purchases will have sufficient balance. Unused balances will be returned when students complete their education at Millbrook School.