The school was founded in 1923 by a group of seven incorporators seeking a non-boarding institution for their sons that would allow for small classes and personal accountability. At the time of its incorporation, the location atop Belmont Hill was not yet developed and belonged to the Belmont Hill Trust. With the help of Robert Atkins, an incorporator and member of the Trust, of undeveloped, rough, and swampy land was purchased in March 1923 and Belmont Hill’s first Headmaster, Reginald Heber Howe, was appointed.