Berlin High School (Connecticut)

Berlin High School is a public high school located in Berlin, Connecticut. The current high school building on Patterson Way was opened in 1953 and as of 2007, serves grades 9-12. An addition was added to the high school in 1959, which included much-needed science labs and various other rooms. It also underwent technology and handicap code upgrades that were completed in 2000. The Berlin High School community currently includes over 1000 students and hundreds of staff members.

Mission Statement

Berlin High School is a partnership of students, staff, parents, and community members whose mission is to develop responsible, ethical, and productive citizens and lifelong learners. Together, we are actively engaged in acquiring theoretical, technological, and practical knowledge in a secure and supportive environment. Berlin High School challenges students to think both creatively and critically in a rigorous academic setting. We encourage students to understand, accept, and appreciate the diverse nature of society. The school community is a positive social environment that affords all students the opportunity to explore their potential as individuals.

History

* Pre-1931 - East Berlin students attended Middletown High; Berlin & Kensington students attended New Britain, Meriden or Lewis High in Southington.
* 1931 - An addition to Kensington Grammar School for grades 8 and 9.
* 1932 - Grade 10 added.
* 1934 - Grade 11 added.
* 1935 - Grade 12 added. Full high school program offered.
* 1953 - New high school on Patterson Way opened.
* 1959 - An addition to the high school built for more classroom and science area.
* 1985 - Celebration of Berlin High School's Golden Anniversary.
* 1998 - BHS Awarded 10 year Accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
* 2000 - Technology upgrade and handicap code renovation completed
* 2008 - Renovations to restrooms and public areas that would be visited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges during the acccreditation visit. No changes were made to areas that would not see a NEASC visit.

Campus

The Berlin High School building on Patterson Way houses all of the school’s educational rooms including:
* 75 Classrooms (Including Computer Labs, Art Rooms, Skill Shops, and Core Subject Rooms)
* Guidance Suite
* Gibney Gymnasium
* B- Gymnasium
* Auditorium
* Music Room
* Band and Instrumental Lesson Rooms
* Locker Rooms
* Student Center
* TV Studio
* Cafeteria
* Radio Station
* Senior Courtyard
* Greenhouse
* Arts and Crafts room
* Library Media Center

The campus also includes a newly renovated outdoor track, practice football field, tennis courts, two basketball courts, and a softball field.

New High School

Due to the growing population in Berlin, the Berlin Board of Education is looking into building a new high school and restructuring the grade level layouts in the existing schools. These plans would possibly involve converting the three existing elementary schools into grades Pre-K through 3rd grade. Catherine M. McGee Middle School would most likely become an intermediate school serving grades 4-5. The existing Berlin High School building on Patterson Way would be converted into the new middle school, serving grades 6-8. The new high school would then take over grades 9-12 in a building that is more modern and technologically advanced. The earliest possible date for the school to be ready is in 2012, but that is unlikely to be met because the plans are still in consideration.

External links

* [http://www.berlinwall.org/ Berlin High School Website]
* [http://www.csde.state.ct.us/public/der/ssp/SCH0506/sr003.pdf] Berlin High School "Strategic School Profile 2005-2006 from state Department of Education
* [http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/ct/77] School's main Web page at Great Schools Web site