The independent Aleta Law investigation found decades of sexual misconduct and institutional failures at Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The 60-page report substantiated eight incidents from the 1940s through the 2010s and highlighted allegations that longtime teacher Matthew Rutledge groomed and assaulted students beginning in the 1990s. Two former students have sued and testified before the state legislature; the Berkshire DA concluded in October 2024 that the conduct did not meet Massachusetts' criminal statutes. The school has apologized and announced sweeping reforms.
Independent Probe Finds Decades of Sexual Misconduct and Institutional Failures at Elite Massachusetts Boarding School
Elite Massachusetts boarding school rocked by teacher scandal and institutional cover-up allegations
A 60-page independent investigation by the law firm Aleta Law has documented decades of sexual misconduct and systemic failures at Miss Hall’s School, an elite all-girls boarding school in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The report says multiple former employees engaged in inappropriate and, in some cases, assaultive behavior toward students spanning from the 1940s through the 2010s.
Investigation Findings
The report centers on Matthew Rutledge, a history teacher who taught at Miss Hall’s for more than 30 years. Investigators say Rutledge engaged in a long-running pattern of grooming, sexualized behavior, and sexual assault beginning in the 1990s; five former students provided firsthand accounts to Aleta Law. Overall, the firm substantiated eight separate incidents of misconduct involving former staff members across several decades.
"What began as compliments and extra attention turned into forcible touching and sexual intercourse with this man who is 25 years older than me," former student Hilary Simon testified. "He isolated me physically and emotionally."
Institutional Response and Culture
The Aleta Law report says Miss Hall’s administrators—including senior leaders and at least one former head of school—received multiple reports and warnings about Rutledge and other staff but failed to intervene effectively. The report describes a campus culture in the 1990s and 2000s in which faculty sometimes spent time alone with students, invited students into faculty apartments, gave personal gifts, and blurred professional boundaries.
Some employees told investigators they suspected inappropriate relationships but feared retaliation or believed leadership would not act. Students who raised concerns in prior years reported being ignored, discouraged, or punished.
The Berkshires is a rural region in the mountains of western Massachusetts.
"It’s very common for schools to get rid of the noisemaker—the victim who won’t shut up," said Wendy Murphy, a Massachusetts attorney and national advocate for survivors. She added that power imbalances can make meaningful consent impossible and that institutions often silence complainants.
Legal Outcome
As of the report, Rutledge has not been criminally charged. In October 2024, the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office concluded under Massachusetts law that the alleged conduct did not meet the statutory definition of a crime, noting that the state's age-of-consent statute is 16. That decision has drawn criticism from survivor advocates who argue that consent is compromised when an adult holds authority over students.
Lawsuits and Advocacy
Two former students, Hilary Simon and Melissa Fares, have filed civil suits against Miss Hall’s alleging negligence and emotional and physical harm. Both testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary in June, urging lawmakers to strengthen protections for students in educational settings.
School Response and Reforms
Miss Hall’s has apologized for past failures and pledged a series of reforms detailed in the Aleta Law report, including:
- New employee code of conduct
- Strengthened reporting and investigation protocols
- Shared faculty office spaces to reduce one-on-one isolation
- 24/7 multilingual counseling access for students
- Survivor-centered listening sessions
- Creation of a Survivor Therapy Fund
Head of School Julia Heaton said the investigation "revealed horrible truths about a community we hold dear" and affirmed the school's commitment to improving safety and support for students. Rutledge has not publicly commented. Reporters have contacted his attorney and Miss Hall’s School for further comment.
