Sarah McMillan, Ed.D.

A long time educator, Dr. Sarah McMillan enjoys bringing her experience in schools and colleges to her work with a wide variety of families seeking independent day and boarding school, college, or graduate planning assistance. Sarah works with students of all ages and backgrounds and from a range of academic profiles, including the gifted, the traditional learner, and the learning challenged.

A teacher and administrator at both the college and independent school levels for over 20 years, Sarah came to Howland, Spence & McMillan from her role as Upper School Head at The Fay School. She had also served as Director of Studies and Dean of Students at Boston University Academy, English Chair at St. Mark's School, and English teacher, coach and dorm head at St. Mark’s School and Kimball Union Academy. Sarah’s educational planning practice is built on her professional experience supervising or working in admissions and college counseling offices in each of her school roles.

Her longtime work developing curricula, school programs, and faculty professional development initiatives that meet the needs of local, national, and international students of a wide range of interests and abilities has led Sarah to become a regular and sought-after speaker on a variety of educational topics at local and national professional conferences. In addition, Sarah’s training in psychology and experience in building successful school-based counseling programs has led to her repute as a consultant in developmental school guidance and counseling programs.

Sarah is a graduate of St. George’s School. She then attended Colby College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English and was a collegiate athlete and team captain. She also holds a master's degree in English and history from Boston College and a doctoral degree in developmental and counseling psychology from Boston University. Sarah taught English at Boston College and has been an adjunct member of the clinical faculty at Boston University, teaching graduate-level courses in child and adolescent development, educational assessment and intervention, and young adult vocational and identity development. While at Boston University’s School of Education, Sarah gained experience in the graduate-level admissions’ evaluation process.

Sarah and her husband, Don, have spent time living abroad and continue to love travel. Along with Don and their two sons, Noah and Cameron, Sarah is an avid sports fan. She also loves to read history and philosophy. Their sons have provided Sarah and Don ample direct experience as parents of independent day and boarding school students and as parents of a collegiate student-athlete. Sarah and Don live outside of Boston and enjoy spending weekends cheering on the sidelines of their sons’ games.