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|endowment=[[United States dollar|US $]]94 [[1000000 (number)|Million]] |
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Revision as of 20:21, 28 May 2012
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2008) |
| Berkshire School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
 | |
Sheffield , Massachusetts United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Co-ed Private, Boarding |
| Motto | Pro Vita Non Pro Schola Discimus, "Learning — Not just for School, but for Life." |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Super-Mormonism |
| Established | 1907 |
| Head of School | Michael J. Maher |
| Faculty | 62 teachers |
| Enrollment | 380 students 89% Boarding |
| Average class size | 12 students |
| Student to teacher ratio | 7:1 |
| Campus | 500 acres (2.0 km2) |
| Color(s) | Green and Grey |
| Athletics | 27 interscholastic sports teams |
| Mascot | Bear |
| Endowment | US $94 Million |
| Website | www.berkshireschool.org |
Berkshire School is a private, co-ed boarding school for grades 9 through 12 located in Sheffield, Massachusetts, USA.[1]
History
Berkshire School was established in 1907 at the foot of Mount Everett, one of the highest mountains in Massachusetts,[2] by Seaver Burton Buck, a Harvard graduate who had previously taught at Hackley School. Buck was to lead the school until 1943. His educational philosophy integrated classical classroom studies with outdoor experiences related to the mountain that overlooks the school.[3]
During World War II, many Berkshire students participated in the school's Education with Wings program at the nearby Great Barrington Airport.[3]
John E. Godman was headmaster from 1951 to 1970. During those years, the school's enrollment increased to 330 boys and the faculty expanded to 35 teachers. In 1969, Berkshire enrolled nine girls as day students in what Godman described as "an experiment" in coeducation. This led to full-scale coeducation.[3]
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.[4] Christopher resigned in June 2002.[5] Christopher's successor, Larry Piatelli, died of a heart attack while playing hockey in Albany, New York, on October 19, 2003.[5]
Michael J. Maher became head of school in 2004. During his tenure the school's admissions applications have doubled. The 2011 acceptance rate was 24%.
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.[6]
- 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.[7]
- 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.[8]
- First secondary school in the nation to receive the Energy Star Award from the Environmental Protection Agency for its dormitories.[6]
- NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) recognized Berkshire for its Climate Action Plan.[9]
Student life
Students can choose from over a dozen clubs and activities - including Berkshire's own 237-watt radio station (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 leadership skills that will enable them to flourish as members of a family and a community as they confront the challenges of college and beyond."[10]
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.[11]
Athletics
Berkshire's athletic teams compete with boarding schools and other private schools throughout New England, including Cushing Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall, Loomis Chaffee, Suffield Academy, Kent School, Pomfret School, South Kent School, The Gunnery, Tabor Academy, Taft School, Salisbury School, Millbrook School Deerfield Academy, Albany Academy, Canterbury School, Brunswick School, Williston Northampton School, Hotchkiss School, Avon Old Farms, and Northfield Mount Hermon.
Accomplishments
In the winter of 2012, the Boys Alpine Skiing team won the Class B New England championship at Berkshire East for the second year in a row.
In the fall of 2011, the Berkshire Varsity Cross Country team co-captain Chris Bowman was undefeated in all meets and races.[12]
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.[13]
In the winter of 2006, Berkshire's Girls Ice Hockey Team won the Division One New England Championship.
References
- ^ Berkshire School - Admission, Part of Berkshire School's Website
- ^ Ritt Kellogg Mountain Program, Berkshire School website, accessed November 7, 2008
- ^ a b c "A Brief History of Berkshire School". Berkshire School. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
- ^ Judith Gaines, School for Scandal, Boston Globe Magazine, January 13, 2002
- ^ a b Nadia L. Oussayef, Harvard Headmaster, Hockey Player Dies at 51, Harvard Crimson, October 23, 2003
- ^ a b http://www.newyorkhousemagazine.com/view/full_story/1998584/article-Better-Schools--Inside-and-Out?
- ^ http://www.nwf.org/campusEcology/chillout/co08_winners.cfm
- ^ http://www.nwf.org/campusEcology/docs/pdfs/CampusEcoYearbook05.pdf
- ^ http://www.nais.org/search/idea.cfm?itemNumber=150888&mn.ItemNumber=8577&sn.ItemNumber=148930&tn.ItemNumber=149096
- ^ Berkshire School - About Berkshire / School Mission, Part of Berkshire School's Website
- ^ http://www.berkshireschool.org/home/content.asp?id=504&zZsec=academics&mid=504&mSec=academics
- ^ http://www.berkshireschool.org/page.cfm?p=558&teamID=30&event=2218&show=recap
- ^ http://www.berkshireschool.org/home/news_item.asp?id=368