Berkshire School
Sheffield
Massachusetts
United States
Overview
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Founded in 1907, Berkshire School is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school for 400 ninth-12th graders and post-graduates, offering a forward-thinking curriculum and state-of-the-art facilities on a 400-acre campus in Sheffield, Massachusetts. Berkshire`s signature programs, including Advanced Math/Science Research, Advanced Humanities Research, and Pro Vita Winter Session, are offered along with advanced sections and AP offerings in all disciplines. These programs are designed to expand the minds, provide real-world experiences, and help distinguish our students in an increasingly competitive college process. With a range of artistic and athletic offerings and national recognition for our efforts in sustainability, Berkshire provides an extraordinary setting in which students are encouraged to learn in the words of the School motto: Pro Vita Non Pro Schola Discimus, "Learning—not just for school but for life." Berkshire is committed to ensuring that each student has a unique and relevant learning experience. By design, every student makes an impact at Berkshire, and no student is anonymous. Our enrollment size allows us to cultivate an exceptionally affirming and close-knit residential community. From the foundation of being known well, our students build confidence, which enables them to reimagine their potential in all areas of their development. Berkshire students genuinely care about each other—having a great sense of pride in seeing others do well—a distinguishing element that creates a healthy culture that balances ambition and humility. Berkshire's dedication to academic, artistic, and athletic excellence has led to record numbers in admissions, success and achievement in every corner of our campus, and nearly 90% of our graduates earning acceptances to the most selective colleges and universities. The talent and dedication of our students has produced Regeneron Science Talent Search semi-finalists, primary authorships on scholarly publications, Scholastic Art Award national medalists, and New England Championship athletic teams. Upon leaving Berkshire, our graduates are able to communicate effectively and persuasively, think critically and creatively, collaborate with others, and understand that they are part of something larger than themselves. They are part of a global network of over 6,000 alumni spanning 54 countries and 50 states. Berkshire strives to instill core values—curiosity, integrity, respect, inclusion, perseverance, and resilience—along with the critical skills, initiative, and confidence that will ensure our students' success in school and in life.
Academics
Summary: Berkshire’s challenging college prep curriculum offers a wealth of advanced and AP courses in every discipline along with unique learning experiences in programs like Advanced Math/Science Research, Advanced Environmental Science Research, Advanced Humanities Research, and Pro Vita Winter Session.
Department Director Brooke Depelteau
Student/Teacher Ratio: 4:1
Average Class Size: 12
Summer Programs: Not Offered
Full Time Teachers: 101
Number of AP Courses Offered: 17
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 70%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Learning Support
- Technology Center
- Writing Center
English
- Creative Writing
- AP English Language
- AP English Literature
History
- Honors
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
- Chinese-Mandarin
- French
- Latin
- Spanish
Religion / Philosophy
- Ethics
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Economics
- Psychology
Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Physics
- Engineering
Math
Computer Studies
- Computer Science
Performing / Visual Arts
- Ceramics
- Photography
- Studio Art
Special Programs
- Community Service
- Independent Study
- Aviation
- Student Council
Distinctive or New Programs
- Advanced Math/Science Research Advanced Environmental Science Research Advanced Humanities Research Pro Vita Winter Session Ritt Kellogg Mountain Program
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 9
Average Students Per Dorm: 40
Number of Girls Dorms: 4
Number of Boys Dorms: 5
Dorm Amenities
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Vending Machines
- Wireless Internet
Other Dorm Amenities
Student Life
Residential life at Berkshire is designed to help students develop a sense of responsibility, self-sufficiency, and connectedness unique to boarding school experience. Students at Berkshire enjoy living in a nurturing and safe environment. Dorm parents—faculty members who live in the dorms with students—take on a parent-like role or “in loco parentis” giving each dorm a true family feeling. From helping with homework, giving advice, to hosting movie nights in the common room, dorm parents build strong relationships with the students.
Facilities
- All-Weather Track
- Baseball Field
- Fitness Center
- Football Field
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Indoor Climbing Wall
- Volleyball Court
Other Facilities
- Two Hockey Rinks
- Twelve Outdoor Tennis Courts
- Ten Indoor Squash Courts
- Strength and Conditioning Area
- Locker Rooms
- Athletic Training Facility
Clubs & Organizations
- Astronomy Club
- Chess Club
- Community Service
- Debate Club
- Dorm Proctors
- Environmental Club
- Foreign Language Clubs
- International Club
- Investment Club
- Literary Magazine
- Math Club
- Model UN
- Newspaper
- Outing Club
- Peer Counseling
- Peer Tutoring
- Student Activities
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Theater Club
- Yearbook
- Radio Station
Arts & Athletics
Summary: Arts and Athletics at Berkshire are the foundation of the School's culture: our facilities and programs give students an outstanding platform from which to push themselves, discover new interests and talents, and express themselves to the full extent of their talent, discipline and enthusiasm.
Arts Department Director: Paul Banevicius
Athletics Department Director: Dan Driscoll
Notable Achievements: 20 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in 2018, Jack Harrison '15 Top Pick of MLS SuperDraft, T. Donelan '18 Wins $5K in Songwriting Contest
Arts
- Ceramics
- Photography
- Studio Art
Interscholastic Sports
- Alpine Skiing
- Alpine Ski Racing
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross Country Running
- Dance
- Field Hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Mountain Biking
- Nordic Skiing
- Rock Climbing
- Snowboarding
- Soccer
- Softball
- Squash
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Recreational Sports
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Dance
- Freestyle Skiing
- Hiking
- Ice Climbing
- Kayaking
- Outdoor Education
- Snowboarding
- Weight Lifting
Graduates
Summary: The College Counseling Office at Berkshire has tremendous success finding colleges and universities that best match each student’s talents, interests, and aspirations. College counselors are intently focused on knowing their students well and placing them in a position of strength to choose the school that is the best fit for them.
College Information
Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%
| Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | |||
| 75th percentile |
College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:
Williams College: 6
Wesleyan University: 6
University of Miami: 6
University of California San Diego: 6
Tufts University: 6
Skidmore College: 6
Middlebury College: 6
Lehigh University: 6
Villanova University: 7
Syracuse University: 7
Hobart and William Smith Colleges: 7
Dartmouth College: 7
Bowdoin College: 7
Boston College: 7
Amherst College: 7
Bates College: 8
New York University: 9
Boston University: 9
University of Virginia: 10
Cornell University: 10
Elon University: 11
Colgate University: 11
University of Richmond: 12
Colby College: 12
St. Lawrence University: 13
Trinity College: 14
Southern Methodist University: 15
Bucknell University: 16
University of Denver: 18
Northeastern University: 18
Notable Alumni
Lincoln Kirstein
Class of 1926
Author and Cultural Figure
William Standish Knowles
Class of 1934
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Calvin Tomkins
Class of 1943
Art Critic
Stephen Malawista
Class of 1950
Lyme Disease Co-Discoverer
William Matthews
Class of 1961
Poet
Dr. Jack Bacon
Class of 1972
NASA Scientist
E.V. Day
Class of 1986
Artist
Ryan Lizza
Class of 1992
New Yorker Magazine
Kendall Coyne
Class of 2011
Olympic Gold Medalist
Quotes From Alumni
“Berkshire is so special. I'm still struck by everyone's warmth and encouragement. It gave me the confidence to get involved in Student Government and the Diversity Club all of which shaped my life.”
-, Class of 2004, Founder of Empowering Ourselves Inc.
“Berkshire set the foundation for the most formative years of my life and for any success I achieved after high school. It was a place where I could take risks knowing that I would always be supported.”
-, Class of 2007, Associate Head of School for Enrollment Management at The White Mountain School
“Berkshire exposed me to so many great opportunities. I embraced my love for the arts by participating in studio art photography digital art and choreography. I'm now pursuing a career in fashion!”
-, Class of 2010, Fashion Designer
“Berkshire set the foundation for the most formative years of my life and for any success I achieved after high school. It was a place where I could take risks knowing that I would always be supported.”
-Allison Letourneau, Class of 2007, Associate Head of School for Enrollment Management at The White Mountain School
“Berkshire exposed me to so many great opportunities. I embraced my love for the arts by participating in studio art photography digital art and choreography. I'm now pursuing a career in fashion!”
-Shannon Rayniece Brown, Class of 2010, Fashion Designer
“Berkshire is so special. I'm still struck by everyone's warmth and encouragement. It gave me the confidence to get involved in Student Government and the Diversity Club all of which shaped my life.”
-Jarrett Mathis, Class of 2004, Founder of Empowering Ourselves Inc.
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 371
Total Day: 38
Total Enrollment: 409
Boys: 225
Girls: 184
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 9-12
School Type: High School, Post-grad
Dress Code: Casual
Applications Accepted: SAO, Gateway to Prep
Application Deadline: January 15th
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $73,200
5-Day Boarding: $0
Day Tuition Fee: $55,400
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 24%
Average Awarded: $55,000
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Not Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: $0
Current Endowment Amount: $195,000,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Allison Letourneau
Admissions Phone: 413 229 1003
Fax: 413 229 1016
Email: admission@berkshireschool.org
Website: https://www.berkshireschool.org
Nearby Schools
- Bard Academy At Simon’s Rock - 7mi / 11 km
- The Hotchkiss School - 12mi / 19 km
- Indian Mountain School - 13mi / 21 km
- Millbrook School - 21mi / 33 km
- The Marvelwood School - 23mi / 37 km
- Miss Hall’s School - 23mi / 37 km
