Our History

Montverde Industrial School was created to educate children from families of limited means, and provide them with training for “the heart, head and hand.” The school opened on September 23, 1912, in a two-room wooden building and a church, with two teachers and a small amount of equipment. 

The early years of the school were marked by fast growth and hard work. Dormitories were constructed on the campus, along with a broom factory and a canning factory. Students were expected to help earn their keep by working in various capacities on the campus.

The Formidable Years
1930-1950

By the 1930's, The Montverde School (as it was known) established itself as a fully accredited private school. Students who graduated were accepted by any college in the South without entrance examinations. During this time, the campus expanded to ten buildings, including two girls' dormitories and two boys' dormitories, and throughout the formidable years of the Depression and World War II, the school continued to grow and earn a new standing as an international boarding school. Most of the international students at the time were from Cuba and South America.

The Montverde School
1950-1970

During the 1950's, the Montverde School grew in reputation and enrollment, attracting students from across the U.S. along with students from South America, Central America, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Germany. In the early 60's The Montverde School became Montverde Academy, which helped fulfill the earliest vision of its founders, to provide excellent education for the whole community. During this time, generations of families were beginning a legacy of sending their offspring to Montverde Academy. This practice was instrumental in solidifying the Academy's ability to call itself more than just another educational institution—it had evolved into a home away from home.

Decades of Change
1970-1999

The 1960’s and 70’s were times of great change in America, and also at Montverde Academy. Dr. Walter L. Stephens began his extensive term as President during this time, and it was under his leadership that school guidelines were amended to include the important non-discrimination policies that continue to shape the school community today.

Over Dr. Stephens’s 31-year tenure as President of Montverde Academy, the school witnessed enormous growth in enrollment and a tremendous building program that began in 1981 and continued through 1997. Among the facilities built during this time period were:

• A modern dining hall and kitchen
• An annex to Arnold hall
• A million-dollar fine arts center
• An activities building
• A library/media center
• A new science complex
• A computer lab and fitness center

Thanks to Dr. Stephens’s nearly four decades of dedication and leadership, Montverde Academy has become the impressive school that it is today.

Advancing into the 21st Century

1999-Present
Knowledge Character Community

Kasey C. Kesselring, Montverde Academy’s current Headmaster, was appointed in 1999. Mr. Kesselring is committed to maintaining the history and rich tradition of Montverde Academy while implementing new ideas and programs that will improve the school's place in the independent school market and secure its future as a strong and vibrant school.

Since Mr. Kesselring's arrival in 1999, the school body has increased threefold. Much of the growth is due to his guidance in adding a new lower school program and the completion of the DeWitt Family Center for Teaching and Learning that opened in 2006. Instrumental in increasing the AP course offerings and overseeing the process of the numerous school accreditations, Mr. Kesselring's leadership has been invaluable. His other accomplishments include the initiation of the school's annual fundraising event - Celebrating Education—and the highly successful Montverde Academy Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Today, the faculty and staff of Montverde Academy educate more than 650 students on a daily basis, including more than 200 boarding students from 13 states across America and 30 countries from around the world. Buildings are remodeled, furniture is updated, distinguished teachers will retire while new and enthusiastic faculty and staff continue to join our family—but the Academy’s traditions and mission remain steadfast as we move towards celebrating 100 years in existence.

History of School Presidents

R.W. Harper, 1912-1917
H.P. Carpenter, 1917-1944
L. Neal Smith, 1944-1945
H.P. Carpenter, 1945-1947
Karl Lehmann, 1947-1949
D.P. Hawkins, 1949-1950
L. Neal Smith, 1950-1951
Grover M. Ford, 1951-1952
L. Neal Smith, 1952-1955
Henry D. Roberts, 1955-1968
Walter L. Stephens, Jr., 1968-1999
Kasey C. Kesselring, 1999-Present

Alma Mater (TMS)

Oh, Montverde, our guide and friend
Dear School, we sing your praise
That you and we may once again bring work, success
And play to all our days.

Take thou our minds, our hands, our hearts;
Fill them for your purpose high,
That in our lives you may impart
Strength and growth anew for each day passing.

Oh, Montverde,
Our guide and friend,
We sing your
Love and praise.
For home so dear you e'er
Have been
All hail, Montverde, all hail,
Our guide and friend.

Alma Mater (Montverde Academy)

This is my Montverde Academy
My home away from home
Where friends are friends forever
Despite how far we roam

My heart swells with pride
Every time I see
The purple and the gold,
The Eagles soaring free

And since nineteen twelve
In these we all believe
Knowledge and good character,
Diverse community

And though I'll leave someday
Out in the world I'll be
My heart will always linger
At Montverde Academy

Written by Aubrey Connolly & Lindsey Drnek '06

School Mascot
Eagle

School Colors
Purple and Gold

Montverde Academy Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees meets two times per year in April and November. The Board is also broken down into the following committees that meet on an as needed basis:

Admissions Committee
Trustee Selection Committee
Finance, Development & Investment Committee
Executive Committee
By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation Committee
Buildings and Grounds Committee
Programs and Services Committee
Long Range Planning Committee