Berkshire School

Infobox Private School
name = Berkshire School


established = 1907
type = Co-ed Private, Boarding|Private, Boarding school|Boarding, Day school
religion = None
head_name = Head of School
head = Michael J. Maher
city = Sheffield
state = Massachusetts |MA
country = USA
motto= "Not just for school but for life, we learn"
campus = 500 acres
enrollment = 372 students
220 Boys, 151 Girls
(9-12, PG) 87% Boarding
faculty = 62 teachers
class = 12 students
ratio = 7:1
year = 2006
SAT = 1700
athletics = 27 interscholastic sports teams
colors = Green and Grey
mascot = Bear
homepage = [http://www.berkshireschool.org/flashed.htm www.berkshireschool.org]

Berkshire School is a private, co-ed boarding school located in Sheffield, Massachusetts, USA.

History

Berkshire School was founded in 1907 beneath the "dome" of Mt. Everett 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 Mr. Godman's leadership, Berkshire School become coeducational. In the fall of that year, nine girls (all day students) took part in what Mr. Godman described to them and their families as "an experiment." The school graduated its first female in 1972.

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, 38,000-square-foot 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.

On December 21 2000, a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against the school. An employee claimed that then-Head of School Paul Christopher had sexually harassed her in his office.Judith Gaines, [http://www.berkshirerecord.com/berkshireschool.html School for Scandal] , "Boston Globe Magazine", January 13, 2002] This incident resulted in extensive media coverage. Christopher resigned in June 2003.Nadia L. Oussayef, [http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=349538 Harvard Headmaster, Hockey Player Dies at 51] , "Harvard Crimson, October 23, 2003]

tudent life

Students and faculty develop a close rapport living together under the mountain. In addition, student prefects work closely with dormitory faculty to create a safe and supportive environment. The leadership development and community service programs promote a sense of ownership among the students. 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 Investment Club. On the weekends students can hike the Appalachian Trail, visit New York City or Boston, or attend a performance on campus - whether a student production or an up and coming band. Saturday classes occur weekly and formal dress is required for all classes.

tatement 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." [ [http://bsn.net/home/content.asp?id=67&zZsec=about%20berkshire&mid=67&mSec=about%20berkshire Berkshire School - About Berkshire / School Mission] , Part of Berkshire School's Website ]

Athletics

In the fall of 2007, Berkshire's Field Hockey Team won the New England Class B Championship. [ [http://bsn.net/home/content.asp?pointid=33&mid=33&msection=&id=170 Berkshire School - Schedules / Varsity Field Hockey] , Part of Berkshire School's Website. ]

References

External links

* [http://www.berkshireschool.org/home/home.asp Berkshire School]
* [http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/39 Boarding School Review]
* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE5DD1139F935A15751C0A960958260 Drug Incident Shakes a School Campus] , "New York Times", February 26, 1996