Berkshire School

Berkshire School is a co-ed boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12 and post-graduates. The 400-acre campus is located at the base of Mount Everett (2,624 ft.) in Sheffield, Massachusetts, in the heart of the Berkshire Hills, a popular tourist destination for world-renowned arts and culture, health and wellness retreats and spectacular nature, including the Appalachian Trail, which is a short hike from campus.

By design, every student makes an impact at Berkshire. No student is anonymous. Everyone knows everyone—from faculty and staff to new students and graduating seniors. Our enrollment of 400 students is a sweet spot for Berkshire’s model and culture, allowing 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 strive, take risks, and reimagine their potential in all areas of their development.

Rooted in an inspiring natural setting, Berkshire School instills the highest standards of character and citizenship and a commitment to academic, artistic, and athletic excellence. Our community fosters diversity, a dedication to environmental stewardship, and an enduring love for learning.

Students and families choose a Berkshire education for an exceptional academic experience that is authentic, relevant, and forward-thinking; for a commitment to character development that is embedded in all aspects of student life; for our strong college and university outcomes; and because we intentionally prepare students for success. Students are encouraged to learn in the words of our School motto: Pro Vita Non Pro Schola Discimus—“Learning, not just for school but for life.”

At the core of our work with young people is knowing them well. We take great pride in knowing each student and his or her journey from their first days on campus to their walk across the commencement stage. Our talented and dedicated faculty serve as teachers, coaches, and advisors, understanding students through each of these lenses, and inspiring their curiosity, their character, and their commitment to reaching their full potential every day.

Berkshire School strives to create a global community that reflects the world around us and the backgrounds, experiences, identities, genders, perspectives, races, religions and talents that each member brings to our school. We believe that a diverse and inclusive community supports and respects all cultures, ethnicities, languages, philosophies, political views and sexual orientations that exist within and beyond our school.

At Berkshire, there is no academic ceiling. The learning environment cultivates a desire for students to challenge themselves, take risks, and reach new heights. Built upon this strong foundation, our curriculum affords students the opportunity to explore an intellectual passion or nurture a new interest within our broad course offerings. Our goal is to ensure that all students have a unique learning experience providing them with the opportunities to go beyond the classroom to expand their knowledge.

At the heart of Berkshire’s academic program is an exceptional college preparatory curriculum that fosters critical thinking, agile problem solving, collaboration, and curiosity across all disciplines. Our academic program is distinguished by its forward-thinking approach through a curriculum designed to be relevant and dynamic, preparing students for an ever-changing global world.

Berkshire’s academic curriculum prepares students for college and beyond by offering a wide array of courses in Arts, Languages, History, Math, Science, and English. Our college prep curriculum is designed by Department Chairs and other academic leaders to advance our students intellectually and to help them become agile, independent thinkers. It is executed by a talented faculty that will continually challenge and inspire our students to become life long learners. Whether a student’s passion is physics, philosophy, or the performing arts, the Berkshire curriculum helps them pursue that passion as far as they are willing.