Berkshire School
Encyclopedia
Berkshire School is a prestigious, private, co-ed boarding school
for grades 9 through 12 located in Sheffield
, Massachusetts
, USA. Berkshire's applications have doubled in the past few years with Mike Maher taking on the role as head of school. Most recently, Berkshire School's 2011 acceptance rate was 24%.
, one of the highest mountains in Massachusetts, by Seaver Burton Buck, a Harvard
graduate who had taught at Hackley School
. Mr. Buck interwove appreciation for and exploration of the mountain with classical classroom teaching.
Upon Mr. Buck's retirement in 1943 the school went on a war footing. Depleted by the call to arms, Berkshire nonetheless remained in session throughout the calendar year, with small groups graduating every twelve weeks. Many of the students became seasoned pilots through the school's Education with Wings program at the nearby Great Barrington
Airport.
Headmaster John E. Godman, led the school from 1951 to 1970. During his tenure, enrollment increased to 330 boys and the faculty expanded to 35 teachers, among them the school's first female faculty members. By 1970, there were 16 major new structures, six of them dormitories, as well as a laboratory science wing added to Berkshire Hall.
In 1969, near the end of Godman's leadership, Berkshire School become coeducational. In the fall of that year, nine girls (all day students) took part in what Godman described to them and their families as "an experiment." The school graduated its first female in 1971.
In the 1970s and 1980s the school restructured its scholastic mission by adding new disciplines, including computer science, ethics, health and environmental science, as well as a formal counseling program. A new, 38000 square feet (3,530.3 m²) athletic center was built and the former gymnasium renovated to house a modern library which today boasts over 40,000 volumes.
The 1990s saw the construction of a new student center and dining hall. Also in that decade, the curriculum broadened further and innovative academic and co-curricular programs were introduced, including the Ritt Kellogg Mountain Program, a Chinese language
program, and a leadership and character development program.
As a result of the school's Berkshire 2000 capital campaign, three faculty chairs were established, two new girls' dormitories were built, dorms and classrooms were fully wired, and the school's endowment nearly doubled. Other improvements included a computer-controlled observatory, an all-weather track, a new maple syrup house, and a renovated hockey rink.
In December 2000, a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against the school after an employee claimed that then-Head of School Paul Christopher had sexually harassed her in his office. Christopher resigned in June 2002. Christopher's successor, Larry Piatelli, died of a heart attack while playing hockey in Albany, New York
, on Oct. 19, 2003.
In 2010, since Mike Maher's arrival as head of school, admissions inquiries have more than doubled; endowments are double the level of five years ago; the annual fund covers 10 percent of operating expenses; and the parent participation rate in the annual fund is at 80%.
(91.7 WBSL), The Dome (student literary magazine), Maple Syrup Program, and Green Key Tour Program.
skills that will enable them to flourish as members of a family and a community as they confront the challenges of college and beyond."
The school motto is Pro Vita Non Pro Schola Discimus, or "Not just for school, but for life." Pro Vita is also a weeklong program where students take classes outside the core curriculum.
In the winter of 2011, the Boys Varsity Basketball Team were runners up in the Class B New England Tournament. They lost to Kingswood Oxford 76-67 in Overtime at Worcester Academy.
In the winter of 2011, the Boys Alpine Skiing team won the Class B New England championship at Berkshire East.
In the spring of 2010, the Softball team won the Class B Western New England tournament.
In the spring of 2009, the Boys Lacrosse team won its fourth straight Division II title after which the team's request to advance to Division I was unanimously approved by Division I coaches.
In the fall of 2007, Berkshire's Field Hockey Team won the New England Class B Championship.
In the fall of 2006, Berkshire's Boys Soccer team won the Class B Championship.
In the winter of 2006, Berkshire's Girls Ice Hockey Team won the Division One New England Championship
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
for grades 9 through 12 located in Sheffield
Sheffield, Massachusetts
Not to be confused with the city of Sheffield in the UK, or Sheffield, Vermont.Sheffield is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,257 at the 2010 census. Sheffield is home to...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, USA. Berkshire's applications have doubled in the past few years with Mike Maher taking on the role as head of school. Most recently, Berkshire School's 2011 acceptance rate was 24%.
History
Berkshire School was founded in 1907 beneath the "dome" of Mount EverettMount Everett
Mount Everett at 2,624 ft - or 800 m - is the highest peak in the south Taconic Mountains of Massachusetts. The mountain is known for its expansive views of the southern Taconics and Berkshires; for its fragile ecosystem of old growth pitch pine and scrub oak; and for its rare plant and animal...
, one of the highest mountains in Massachusetts, by Seaver Burton Buck, a Harvard
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
graduate who had taught at Hackley School
Hackley School
Hackley School is a private college preparatory school located in Tarrytown, New York and is a member of the Ivy Preparatory School League. Founded in 1899 by wealthy philanthropist Mrs. Caleb Brewster Hackley, Hackley was intended to be a Unitarian alternative to the mostly Episcopal boarding...
. Mr. Buck interwove appreciation for and exploration of the mountain with classical classroom teaching.
Upon Mr. Buck's retirement in 1943 the school went on a war footing. Depleted by the call to arms, Berkshire nonetheless remained in session throughout the calendar year, with small groups graduating every twelve weeks. Many of the students became seasoned pilots through the school's Education with Wings program at the nearby Great Barrington
Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Great Barrington is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,104 at the 2010 census. Both a summer resort and home to Ski Butternut, Great Barrington includes the villages of Van...
Airport.
Headmaster John E. Godman, led the school from 1951 to 1970. During his tenure, enrollment increased to 330 boys and the faculty expanded to 35 teachers, among them the school's first female faculty members. By 1970, there were 16 major new structures, six of them dormitories, as well as a laboratory science wing added to Berkshire Hall.
In 1969, near the end of Godman's leadership, Berkshire School become coeducational. In the fall of that year, nine girls (all day students) took part in what Godman described to them and their families as "an experiment." The school graduated its first female in 1971.
In the 1970s and 1980s the school restructured its scholastic mission by adding new disciplines, including computer science, ethics, health and environmental science, as well as a formal counseling program. A new, 38000 square feet (3,530.3 m²) athletic center was built and the former gymnasium renovated to house a modern library which today boasts over 40,000 volumes.
The 1990s saw the construction of a new student center and dining hall. Also in that decade, the curriculum broadened further and innovative academic and co-curricular programs were introduced, including the Ritt Kellogg Mountain Program, a Chinese language
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
program, and a leadership and character development program.
As a result of the school's Berkshire 2000 capital campaign, three faculty chairs were established, two new girls' dormitories were built, dorms and classrooms were fully wired, and the school's endowment nearly doubled. Other improvements included a computer-controlled observatory, an all-weather track, a new maple syrup house, and a renovated hockey rink.
In December 2000, a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against the school after an employee claimed that then-Head of School Paul Christopher had sexually harassed her in his office. Christopher resigned in June 2002. Christopher's successor, Larry Piatelli, died of a heart attack while playing hockey in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, on Oct. 19, 2003.
In 2010, since Mike Maher's arrival as head of school, admissions inquiries have more than doubled; endowments are double the level of five years ago; the annual fund covers 10 percent of operating expenses; and the parent participation rate in the annual fund is at 80%.
Sustainability
- In 2009 student conservation efforts were recognized with a grant from DoSomething.org's Increase Your Green Competition.
- Berkshire won the Green Cup Challenge in 2008.
- In 2008 it was the winner in the category of Innovative and Experimental Solutions in the National Wildlife Federation's Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming Competition.
- In 2006, the National Wildlife Federation granted the school Campus Ecology Recognition in Environmental Literacy and Management Systems.
- In 2005, the National Wildlife Federation granted the school Campus Ecology Recognition for its Waste Reduction Efforts.
- First secondary school in the nation to receive the Energy Star Award from the Environmental Protection Agency for its dormitories.
- NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) recognized Berkshire for its Climate Action Plan.
Student life
Students can choose from over a dozen clubs and activities - including Berkshire's own 237-watt radio stationRadio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
(91.7 WBSL), The Dome (student literary magazine), Maple Syrup Program, and Green Key Tour Program.
Statement of mission
"The mission of Berkshire School is to provide young men and women with the intellectual and moral foundations and the leadershipLeadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
skills that will enable them to flourish as members of a family and a community as they confront the challenges of college and beyond."
The school motto is Pro Vita Non Pro Schola Discimus, or "Not just for school, but for life." Pro Vita is also a weeklong program where students take classes outside the core curriculum.
Athletics
In the fall of 2011, the Berkshire Varsity Cross Country team co-captain Chris Bowman was undefeated in all meets and races.In the winter of 2011, the Boys Varsity Basketball Team were runners up in the Class B New England Tournament. They lost to Kingswood Oxford 76-67 in Overtime at Worcester Academy.
In the winter of 2011, the Boys Alpine Skiing team won the Class B New England championship at Berkshire East.
In the spring of 2010, the Softball team won the Class B Western New England tournament.
In the spring of 2009, the Boys Lacrosse team won its fourth straight Division II title after which the team's request to advance to Division I was unanimously approved by Division I coaches.
In the fall of 2007, Berkshire's Field Hockey Team won the New England Class B Championship.
In the fall of 2006, Berkshire's Boys Soccer team won the Class B Championship.
In the winter of 2006, Berkshire's Girls Ice Hockey Team won the Division One New England Championship
External links
- Berkshire School
- Litchfield County Times
- Boarding School Review
- Admissions Quest
- The Association of Boarding Schools
- Drug Incident Shakes a School Campus, New York Times, February 26, 1996