Read more details about Berkshire School on their 2024-25 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Berkshire is more than a school: it is a lifestyle, a culture, and a family environment that makes you want to be successful in and out of the classroom everyday. Every person at Berkshire is there to help you become a better person while gaining an education that will prepare you for college. As a hockey player, I have played in many ice rinks and besides professional venues, Berkshire is the nicest rink I have been fortunate enough to play in.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
At Berkshire, I learned how to live on my own and prepared me for the college lifestyle. I was not nervous at all when I went to college because Berkshire prepared me for that moment.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
I wish I got to know the dress code better because I brought a lot of unnecessary clothes.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
I loved the culture and all the people that make Berkshire the place it is. All of my best friends are from Berkshire. The faculty members there truly care about each student like they are their own child.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Shawn's place is an awesome place to hang out, and if you visit Berkshire don't forget to check out Black Rock and the Jack.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The academics at Berkshire was amazing, I went to a public school for 4 years before Berkshire so I was able to see both sides of the spectrum.Berkshire's academics were challenging, but there is so much help after school I never felt like I was struggling. The teachers are readily available if you are in study hall at night and are stuck on a problem or have a question. Also, the class sizes are very small which was awesome for me because I was a shy student. Having 8-12 students in my classes forced me to interact and learn with everyone. At the time I was a little nervous, but it really helped me as I am entering my junior year at Northeastern.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Sports have been apart of my life since I was 3-years old. As I stated above, I was only able to play one sport during my time at Berkshire due to injury. I played varsity ice hockey. Playing hockey for Berkshire was the first time I really has a sense of what it meant to represent your school. I played club hockey my entire life and never for a school. I would walk to the dining hall the next morning and kids would tell me great game. It was amazing to me how many people would come and support our team. The culture of the entire Berkshire School is so supportive with every sport and student it was so much fun playing or watching games.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
The theatre program at Berkshire was amazing. I loved going to all the plays. Although, I am not much of an arts, music and theatre person I was so excited for the plays each season.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
Often times after classes on Saturday, I would skate with the local kids at the hockey rink. It was a lot of fun to be out there with them and teach them a few things about hockey.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
I had one roommate at Berkshire who was also a first time student like me. She loved sports as well and we got along. The dorm life at Berkshire is definitely one of the big things that prepared me for college. It was hard to adjust to at first because I was use to living at home, but having great dorm parents, roommate, and friends in the dorm made it a lot easier to adjust. We would have study hall from 8-10 Monday-Friday and Sunday. I typically would utilize this time to the fullest and would get all my homework done. After that if you were hungry you could order food or just go to bed. The dorm life was a lot of fun and my favorite part was dorm wars.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
The dining hall was great. They had many options that you could choose from if you are a picky eater like me. I would go to breakfast every morning before class and then after three classes have lunch. I would go back to class, then to sports, and finally it was time for dinner. Typically I would sit with the kids on my hockey team because we would all go from practice to the dining hall.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
Being a boarder, I did not go outside of the school much. We would go on many field trips for advance journalism in the surrounding areas and they were beautiful. I would go to Great Barrington to eat sometimes, but being under the mountain at school everyday was petty awesome.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
I loved the social life at Berkshire. Like I said before, I went to a public school for 4 years and Berkshire one year. My best friends are from one year at Berkshire. Saturday nights were really enjoyable hanging out with people, and since its a smaller school you get to know everyone really quick. The culture is amazing at Berkshire and it creates a positive environment amongst students.
Read more details about Berkshire School on their 2024-25 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Berkshire School Alumni #1
Class of 2009
5.00 7/25/2020
Bard College, current MFA student at School of the Art Institute
Class of 2009
5.00 7/25/2020
Bard College, current MFA student at School of the Art Institute
Berkshire's campus in unparalleled. The pristine architecture fits into the pristine beauty of the surrounding mountains beautifully.. . .
During my three years at Berkshire, I was able to take advantage of many unique opportunities that other boarding schools just did not offer. For example, I was able to attend The Island School during. . .
Every year at Berkshire School, the school holds a Pro Vita week. During this week, students get to take classes that vary from their typical classes. These classes span from learning how to cook sustainability. . .
Show more reviews (14 reviews)
Recent Articles
Boarding School Myths
This article debunks common myths about boarding schools, addressing misconceptions about wealth requirements, diversity, student life, school types, and family communication. It provides valuable insights for families considering boarding school education and highlights the modern realities of these institutions.
A Partnership of Three
This article explores the three-way partnership between the school, parents, and students in boarding school education. It outlines the obligations and responsibilities of each party, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and commitment to ensure a successful boarding school experience.
Admissions Checklist For Boarding School Applicants
This comprehensive guide provides a detailed checklist for boarding school applicants, covering key aspects of the admissions process such as testing, recommendations, interviews, and financial aid. It also includes additional information for international students applying to U.S. boarding schools.
