Elite Massachusetts Boarding School Faces Sexual Abuse Scandal and Alleged Cover-Up
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Miss Hall’s School, a prestigious all-girls boarding school in Massachusetts where tuition and room and board can reach $79,000 annually, is confronting a sweeping sexual abuse scandal following the release of an independent investigation detailing decades of misconduct by multiple employees. The 60-page report by Aleta Law reveals a troubling history of sexualized behavior, grooming, and assault, centering on former history teacher Matthew Rutledge, who taught at the school for over 30 years.
Rutledge allegedly engaged in a long pattern of sexual misconduct beginning in the 1990s, with five former students providing firsthand accounts of his behavior. Beyond Rutledge, the report substantiates eight cases of sexual misconduct involving former employees from as far back as the 1940s through the 2010s. These cases include emotional exploitation, boundary violations, sexualized conduct, and assault.
Two former students, Hilary Simon and Melissa Fares, have filed lawsuits against Miss Hall’s School, accusing the institution of negligence and causing emotional and physical harm. Both testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary in June, advocating for stronger legal protections for students. Simon described how compliments and extra attention escalated into forcible touching and sexual intercourse with Rutledge, who was 25 years her senior. “He isolated me physically and emotionally,” she said.
Despite the severity of the allegations, Rutledge has never faced criminal charges. In October 2024, the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office concluded that under Massachusetts General Law, no criminal conduct had occurred. District Attorney Timothy Shugrue explained that Massachusetts defines the age of consent as 16, and while the behavior was “profoundly troubling,” it was not illegal under current statutes.
Attorney Wendy Murphy, a Massachusetts-based advocate for sexual assault survivors, criticized the legal framework, telling Fox News Digital that the law treats students as capable of consenting despite the power imbalance. “Consent isn’t real when the perpetrator is in a position of authority over you,” she said, highlighting the need for reform.
The investigation also uncovered allegations that Miss Hall’s administrators, including senior leaders and at least one former head of school, received multiple reports or warnings about Rutledge’s conduct but failed to act decisively. This has raised serious questions about institutional accountability and potential cover-ups.
Miss Hall’s School, an independent, college preparatory institution for girls in grades 9 through 12, has not publicly detailed steps taken in response to the report. The scandal has ignited calls for greater oversight and stronger protections for students in private educational settings.
For more information on Massachusetts laws regarding sexual consent and protections, visit the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Advocacy groups like the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provide resources for survivors and legal guidance. The Office on Violence Against Women also offers federal support for combating sexual violence in educational institutions.
This scandal at Miss Hall’s School underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing sexual abuse in elite educational environments and the critical need for systemic reforms to protect vulnerable students.
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