Our Story

In 1961 George and his wife Penny Hayes transformed their dream of a boarding school for blocked readers into a reality. Hayes, a Kent school graduate and former teacher, was teaching at the Mount Hermon School for boys as the Director of Reading Development. (Mount Hermon would later merge with the Northfield School for girls to create Northfield Mount Hermon School). There was much discussion as to where this new school should be and worry that a suitable site might not be found. Their vision needed a comfortable living and learning space while being able to engage the boys in the outdoors. The Hayes’ prayers were answered when they received word from Mrs. Grace Bennett that she would part with her beautiful old dairy farm for a meager amount to support the cause. She respected the success that George Hayes had with her grandson, a student at Mount Hermon School.

The early days of the school were a family affair with wife Penny keeping the books, and cooking meals, daughter Carolyn giving riding lessons and caring for the animals in the small farm, son George working the grounds after school and later on breaks from college all while George instructed students and fundraised. This tiny school with 30 boys set trends in education language based learning disabilities that many schools have modeled.

George and Penny Hayes have since passed away, however their children remain in constant contact with Linden Hill. In fact, Carolyn served as Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2004-2007. Still a family affair, many couples and families live and work on the campus, and the school takes great pride in being both a leader in education for learning disabilities education while also serving as a nurturing home away from home for its boys. Countless alums and teachers can comment on their time on the Hill as the hardest work they have ever done and the most magical time of their lives.