Miss Hall’s School, a prestigious all-girls boarding institution in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is facing serious allegations of sexual abuse following an independent investigation by Aleta Law. The inquiry uncovered decades of misconduct involving multiple employees, particularly focusing on former history teacher Matthew Rutledge, who taught at the school for over 30 years. The investigation found that Rutledge engaged in grooming, sexualized behavior, and sexual assault of students dating back to the 1990s. Five former students provided firsthand accounts of their experiences.

The report substantiated eight cases of sexual misconduct by former employees from the 1940s through the 2010s, highlighting issues such as emotional exploitation and boundary violations. Two former students, Hilary Simon and Melissa Fares, have filed lawsuits against the school, alleging negligence and harm. They testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary, advocating for enhanced protections for students.

Simon detailed her experiences with Rutledge, noting the inappropriate behavior she faced from someone significantly older and in a position of authority. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Rutledge has not faced criminal charges due to Massachusetts law defining the age of consent as 16, which led the Berkshire District Attorney's Office to conclude that no criminal conduct occurred under current statutes.

The Aleta Law report criticized the school's leadership for failing to act on multiple warnings regarding Rutledge's behavior. A separate investigation by Vanity Fair corroborated that school officials were aware of Rutledge's concerning conduct as early as 2005 but allowed him to continue teaching. The report described a school culture in the 1990s and 2000s where inappropriate relationships between teachers and students were prevalent, with many staff members expressing concerns but fearing retaliation or dismissal of their claims.

In response to the findings, Miss Hall’s School has acknowledged its past failures and initiated reforms, including a new employee code of conduct, improved reporting protocols, and enhanced access to counseling for students. The school has stated its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students. Rutledge has not publicly commented on the allegations, and attempts to reach his attorney and the school for further comment have been made.