Montverde Academy originated from a two-room schoolhouse in 1912 with the name Montverde Industrial School (MIS). The MIS was created from the foresight of Kentucky resident Dr. Henry P. Carpenter who wanted to establish a Christian-based industrial school that gave people from poorer circumstances an opportunity to nurture both their physical and mental capacities and where both boys and girls could develop their “head and heart… sound bodies and good minds.”

MIS Alma Mater (1912-30)
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.

In the early 1920s, Montverde School students farmed nearby lands for food and economic survival, with a curriculum integrating farming and agribusiness. Students needed a 70 percent passing grade, with a 90 percent average exempting them from final exams. 

Extra-curricular activities included competitions between the Greek Athenian and Philomathean societies for campus pennants. In 1922, the school dropped industrial from its name, becoming Montverde School (MVS), and sold its cannery to the town in 1923, which continued to employ locals.

By 1925, the first yearbook, “Interlachen,” was published, and the Carrie F. Conrad Chapel opened, later renamed to include Karl Lehmann’s name. Athletics expanded to include track and field, basketball, football, and soccer, with the football team, “Crackers,” starting in 1926.

The school became a private preparatory institution, focusing on boarding students and forming the Athletic Association (AA) to support its teams. In 1935, a memorial tower was dedicated on campus. By the late 1930s, students were admitted to Southern colleges without entrance exams.

In 1944, founder Dr. H.P. Carpenter fell ill, and Neal Smith served as Interim President before Dr. Carpenter returned for one final year. Karl Lehmann then served as president until 1950. The school’s reputation grew, and in 1948, after a period of internal competition, outside athletics resumed under Coach Otis McQuaig. Senator Claude Pepper’s visit in 1948 increased visibility and led to significant financial support.

In 1950, Dr. D.P. Hawkins became president, and the school established a fire squad with the local fire department. In 1953, K-5 students were admitted, with tuition at approximately $550 per semester. Plans for a male-only dorm, Carpenter Hall, were underway.

Under President Henry D. Roberts, MVA completed several projects by the end of 1962, including a new library and expanded faculty apartments. The school enforced detailed rules for various areas, such as D.A.R. Hall, Dining Hall, and the Beehive student center, covering everything from transactions to behavior.

Student clubs flourished, including French, FFA, choir, skating, bowling, square dance, and pep clubs, with sports activities featuring cheerleading and basketball teams. By 1965, the school welcomed international students from Venezuela, the Virgin Islands, and beyond, and offered a range of clubs like public speaking and dance. MVA was part of the Florida High School Activities Association (FHSAA), with teams in track, swimming, and basketball.

Popular events included the St. Valentine's Dance, Halloween Dance, and Miss Montverde Academy pageant. New clubs such as Bible, Spanish, and chess were added. The Summer School Study and Play program was introduced for grades 1-12.

In 1968, Dr. Walter L. Stephens, Jr., a successful coach and teacher, was appointed Head of School, later becoming President in 1970. Under his leadership, new facilities, including a student center, girls’ dorm, and athletic complex, were completed by the mid-1970s. Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and homecoming were major campus events, with "Parents Night" becoming popular.

By 1976, new clubs included Girls Athletic Association and astronomy, with tuition at $3,200 for boarders and $1,450 for day students. The senior class of 1978 included international students from various countries.

The school offered European travel opportunities and memorable trips to South Korea and Hong Kong in 1987. Clubs expanded to include cooking, weightlifting, and horseback riding. In 1989, Mrs. Sandra O. Stephens was appointed Vice President Director of Admissions and Public Relations.

Boys and Girls Varsity basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and softball thrived, with popular student activities like Christmas, Halloween, and Valentine’s Day dances.

In 1997, the MVA Fitness Center, a 2,400 square-foot facility with treadmills, step machines, recumbent bicycles, and weights, opened next to the Henry D. Roberts Gymnasium.

The Class of 1999 included students from Barbados, the West Indies, Kinshasa, Zaire, Hong Kong, and Bottrop, Germany.

Dr. Kasey C. Kesselring, one of the youngest Heads of Schools in the U.S., was appointed in 2000. During his tenure, MVA expanded technology access, improved fine arts curricula, added honors and AP courses, and established a Pre-K3 through grade 6 program. New dorms, outdoor facilities, and sidewalks enhanced the campus.

Dr. Kesselring's leadership boosted enrollment and accreditation, leading to the development of the $1.5 million Sandra O. Stephens Center for Media & Performing Arts and Music and Theatre Conservatories in 2015. MVA became accredited by multiple institutions.

By 2007, MVA's world travel programs included trips to Italy and England, with admissions staff also traveling to China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, and Vietnam. The Academy gained national recognition for its basketball tournament and varsity sports programs.

Throughout the 2000s, Dr. Kesselring fostered community relations and oversaw over $20 million in infrastructural growth, including new athletic facilities, a Lower School program, Centennial Plaza, and expanded science and innovation centers.

The Alma Mater was re-written by Upper and Middle School vocal music teacher, Mr. Aubrey Connelly-Candelario, and Lindsey Drnek ’06

This is my Montverde
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

During the 2010s, athletic development programs such as Soccer Institute and Montverde Academy (SIMA), Center for Basketball Development (CBD), and Montverde Academy Tennis (MAT) were established. These were followed by specialized club teams that included swim, girls’ soccer, and volleyball.

Mr. Jon Hopman became the tenth Head of School in July 2022. He first joined MVA in July 2001 to start the Development and Alumni Relations Office. He later served as Business and Finance Director. After receiving his master’s degree, he transitioned to the role of Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, and Residential Life, later becoming the Assistant Head of School and Director of Admissions. Over his initial 13 years at MVA, Mr. Hopman also taught Middle School math and Upper School accounting and finance classes and coached golf and lacrosse. He received the opportunity to serve as the Head of School in South Carolina, and returned to the Academy as Head of School after eight years.

During the summer of 2022, Mr. Hopman’s first year as MVA’s Head of School, the area between Gebauer Hall and Conrad Lehmann was reconfigured into a patio to give students more space for activities during the week and on the weekends. A second patio was added near the Student Center. The Middle School added a large awning that connects to the concession area of Lindor Hall. The student parking lot on the corner of Academy Lane and CR455 was also expanded for additional student, faculty, and staff parking.

The addition of the Educational Technology and Innovation Center (ETIC) completely transformed the buildings that formerly housed the library and Middle School. Along with the LSS department, an Engineering Design Lab for Upper and Middle School, and a curriculum center for robotics were retrofitted along with classrooms and studios for Media Arts, computer programming and design, and yearbook.

In the 2024-25 school year, MVA grew to 1,400 students, representing 70+ nationalities. The Lower School added sections in grades 3-5 by repurposing the Roberts Gym. The 2025-26 school year has more big plans, with sections being added in grades K-2, along with a full service dining facility to that the Lower School has contained facilities for safety, and efficiency.