Dr. Jonathan Reeves
Head of School
Ed.D., Boston University. More than 25 years in independent-school leadership and Head of School since 2016. A past trustee of the Massachusetts Association of Independent Schools.
About Meridian
58 years of inspiring young minds in Lexington — our story, our values, and the people who make Meridian what it is.
Foundation
What We Stand For
Our Vision
To be a school where every student discovers their unique potential and graduates as a curious, compassionate, and capable citizen ready to contribute to a changing world.
Our Mission
To provide a challenging, nurturing, and inclusive education that builds intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and the character to lead with integrity and empathy.
Our Values
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Integrity & Honesty
- Respect for Every Voice
- Collaboration & Leadership
- Service to Community
1968
Year Founded
Our Story
From 46 Students to a 640-Student Campus
Meridian Academy was founded in 1968 by a small group of local parents and educators, led by Dr. Eleanor Hartwell, with a clear purpose: to build a school that valued curiosity over conformity and character over credentials.
Classes began with 46 students and four teachers in the parish hall of a neighborhood church. Word spread quickly about the dedicated faculty, the hands-on curriculum, and the warm, close-knit community.
Today Meridian spans 32 acres, serves 640 students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, and is accredited by NEASC and a member of NAIS. Our graduates have gone on to flourish at colleges and universities across the country and around the world.
4,800+
Alumni in 48 states & 22 countries
32 Acres
Campus with woods & fields
Journey
Milestones That Shaped Us
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1968
Founded by Dr. Eleanor Hartwell
The school opens with 46 students in Kindergarten through Grade 5, in a church parish hall.
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1976
A Campus of Our Own
Meridian moves to its current 32-acre site on Meridian Lane and adds a Middle School for Grades 6–8.
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1989
Upper School Opens
Grades 9–12 are added, and the first graduating class crosses the stage in 1993.
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2001
NEASC Accreditation & Cum Laude Society
Meridian earns regional accreditation and charters its own chapter of the Cum Laude Society.
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2014
Science & Arts Center Opens
A new building brings modern laboratories, a 600-seat Performing Arts Center, and art and music studios under one roof.
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2026
Innovation & Robotics Lab
The $2.5 million lab opens to all grades, and the Class of 2026 becomes the school’s fourth with 100% four-year college acceptance.
Leadership
The Team at the Helm
Dr. Elena Vargas
Assistant Head for Academics
Ph.D. in Education, Boston College. Specializes in curriculum design and teacher development, and leads our faculty professional-growth program.
Robert Callahan
Dean of Students
M.Ed., University of Massachusetts Amherst. Oversees advisory, student life, counseling, and the school’s service-learning and community programs.
Campus
Facilities Built for Learning
Our 32-acre campus gives every student the space and resources to learn, create, compete, and grow.
Library & Learning Commons
38,000 volumes, 60+ digital databases, group study rooms, and a peer-tutoring center in a sunlit, glass-walled building.
Science Laboratories
Dedicated biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental-science labs, plus a greenhouse and a campus nature trail.
Athletics Complex
Fieldhouse with two gyms, indoor pool, turf and grass fields, eight tennis courts, and a 400-meter track.
Performing Arts Center
A 600-seat theater with professional sound and lighting for plays, concerts, assemblies, and guest speakers.
Innovation & Robotics Lab
3D printers, a laser cutter, Arduino and Raspberry Pi kits, AI/ML modules, and a full coding studio — opened in 2026.
Art & Music Studios
Studios for drawing, painting, ceramics, and photography, plus rehearsal rooms and a recording space for music.
Accreditations & Recognition
NEASC Accredited
Regional accreditation
NAIS Member
Independent schools
Cum Laude Society
Chapter since 2001
AP® Authorized
College Board
Become Part of the Meridian Family
Now enrolling for 2027–28. Join the 640 students who call Meridian home.