Bosses for Babies

How This Boss Makes an Impact for Children in Florida

Maclay School is a leader in education in the Big Bend region of North Florida. Finding its home in the state capital it feels the responsibility to be the employer of choice in the region. It continually refines practices to ensure Maclay is a positive employee experience.

As the school has grown over the decades, and significantly during James’ tenure as the Head of School, family friendly benefits have been added that attract, support, and retain great faculty and staff. He was instrumental in adding to many of the policies currently offered. Maclay has a generous tuition remission program for its full-time faculty and administrators, flexible work arrangements for the different stages a family goes through, practical offerings like lactation rooms, paid maternity and paternity leave, and a robust professional development budget so our employees can feel they are supported and can grow here. Faculty and staff are also afforded free summer camp enrollment for their children. Through various forms of feedback acquisition, they are constantly adjusting policies and practices that are responsive to the employees' needs and always mindful of the non-monetary cultural compensation that makes a huge difference in the engagement and longevity of the faculty and staff.
 

These efforts positively impact the children of Maclay employees by ensuring they benefit from a stable, supportive, and enriched home and school environment. Furthermore, Maclay believes it can be an example for other institutions by modeling for other schools in Florida, enhancing educational experiences for children across the state.

Bio

In the summer of 2014, James Milford became the fourth Head of School at Maclay School, a coeducational college preparatory day school in Tallahassee, Florida, enrolling just over 1,100 students. He brought broad experience as a teacher, parent, and administrator in all aspects of independent schools. 

Before joining Maclay School, Milford had a long tenure at Darlington School, a day and boarding school in Rome, Georgia. Milford has served eight years on the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) Board. He is the Chair of the Finance committee and an Executive Officer of the Board. In his words, “My mentors are the only reason I am here today, and I will spend the rest of my career paying that kindness and generosity back to those I am able to invest in.” 

Milford has worked in numerous areas of independent school life, including admission, retention, and communications, expanding the scope and reach of how the school connects and partners with parents. He received his MBA from the Campbell School of Business at Berry College and his BBA from Shorter University.  He and his wife Angie, Maclay's Cross Country and Track & Field Coach, have three sons and when not at school, spend time with their Australian Shepard and maximizing time making memories together and with family. 

Though you may find Milford in his office or around campus, it is not uncommon to see him leading cheers at pep rallies, on the Junior Ski Trip and Sophomore Safari, or wearing one of his many "colorful" suits.  

Be sure to follow the hashtag #manyfacesofmrmilford on Instagram!