Our Admission Office has been busy over the past few months reading a record-breaking number of applications from 70 countries and 42 states! We are grateful to all the families who took time to engage with our community over the course of the admission process.
Chase House has been blown away by the strength of our applicants to Berkshire for the 2026-27 school year. After six weeks of application review and committee meetings, the admission team has identified incredible young adults to become our newest Bears. We look forward to having them back on campus this spring for revisit days and seeing them again under the Mountain this fall at registration." –Dean of Admission Grace Megaffin
Watch the video welcoming new Bears to Berkshire below! 🐾
Bears had a blast last week in Berkshire's Pro Vita Winter Session. They chose from 50+ hands-on, experiential courses taught on campus and around the local community. Some even elected to embark on an off-campus trip to either The Bahamas to study sustainable living, marine ecology, conservation, environmental research, and community outreach, or to Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou, China, for cultural exploration with hands-on learning. Twenty-five courses were taught by current Bears who shared their interests and passions with their peers.
New Course Offerings for Next Year!
We are excited to announce the expansion of our curriculum for the upcoming school year. Designed to challenge and inspire the curious minds of all Berkshire students, these new course offerings span every department and reflect a wide range of interests and disciplines. Each course is crafted to meet students where they are while encouraging them to reach new heights of academic excellence. "We designed new courses for every grade level and every kind of learner," said Dean of Academics Heidi Woodworth. "That was the goal, and I'm proud to say that we achieved it. These new additions reflect the reality that intellectual curiosity doesn't look the same in every student, and that we have found ways to honor that."
Science
- Advanced Astrophysics
Math
- Advanced Algebra I
- Financial Mathematics
- Advanced Calculus
- Advanced Topics in Higher Mathematics
- AP Computer Science A
English
- Narrating the Self (W/S elective)
- Southern Gothic (W/S elective)
- Journalism
History
- AP Comparative Government
- Advanced Topics: Reagan and Modern America
Arts
- Improvisation
Languages
- AP Chinese Language & Culture
- AP Latin
AMSR Student Shares Academic Journey
Why You Don’t Need a "Perfect Plan" to Achieve Big Things
Jacob Lee’s academic journey to aerospace engineering was not necessarily linear. In this reflection delivered at All-School meeting, Jacob shares how he embraced the messy, uncertain process of trial and error to become a more confident student and directed scholar. It’s a powerful reminder to stay the course and stay curious when things get difficult. Read on to discover how finding a singular passion can turn academic challenge into a lifelong interest.
You don’t need to have everything figured out. You don’t need a perfect plan. What matters is the courage to begin." –Jacob Lee '26
Dispatch from The Dome
The monthly Dispatch from The Dome highlights our Bears' literary and artistic talents. February's Dispatch features this photograph, "Mother-Daughter Date," by Chloe Howard '26 and the poem, "Swim," by Kendall Dobratz '27.
The Dome editors Georgina Clarke '26, Molly Caesar-Kim '26, Chidera Okeke '26, and Lena Smith '26 introduced each work. Below are the editors' reflections on what drew them to the pieces and why they were selected.
I love the motion of this piece. The way that everything and everyone is a fuzzy haze, except for the mother and daughter. It creates a sense of nostalgia, the kind that you get from thinking about a distant childhood memory. The black and white grading makes this piece feel timeless. No matter where you are or how old, there’s always time for a mother-daughter date."
What really drew us to this poem is its extended metaphor. The speaker compares admiring someone to being a mesmerized kid tapping on a fish tank—close enough to see everything, but still separated by glass . . . Even though the poem is short, it captures that feeling of pure admiration that can mean whatever you interpret it to be."
All-School Meeting Speaker: Jim Stroker
Berkshire welcomed coach and wellness educator Jim Stroker to campus to share his inspiring message on the power of perspective. His talk encouraged students to focus on resilience, gratitude, and mental strength through his theory “E + R = O” (Event + Response = Outcome). Drawing on the wisdom of Teddy Roosevelt, Viktor Frankl, Herb Brooks, and others, and through many stories, including the incredible resilience of his two children, Coach Stroker also spoke about the “Black Belt” mentality: accepting and embracing the challenges that push us out of our comfort zones. Whether confronting a difficult class, a tough season, or a life-altering setback, he encouraged students to embrace the mindset of Amor Fati—the love of one’s fate—viewing every challenge as something happening for them to help them become their best selves. Thank you to Patrick and Schuyler McBrien P'28 for their help bringing Coach Stroker to Berkshire!
Kellogg Grant Winners
Congratulations to the recipients of the 42nd annual Kellogg Grant, Gabe Starczewski and Amber West! Established by Elizabeth Kellogg in memory of her husband, James C. Kellogg III '33, the award is given each year to two members of the Berkshire community who contribute to the School in a special way through both their time and commitment. The award comes with a stipend for each recipient to spend on a well-earned vacation. 👏 In his 15th year at Berkshire, Mr. Starczewski helps lead the collective facilities effort to maintain our beautiful campus. While we may not see all that happens in his work at all hours of the day, we depend on his experience, dedication, and steady leadership. Director of Facilities Dan Tompkins notes that “Gabe is the one employee who––no matter the time of day or the immediate need––always shows up with a smile and a great attitude. He is an anchor in the facilities and maintenance department, always pulling through as a proactive, reliable, and inspirational pillar of the team.” Ms. West has served the school in a multitude of ways in her 10 years: as a form dean, the Independent Study coordinator, and as school trip coordinator, where she offers key support to the campus safety effort. In all these roles, she holds the needs of our students at the heart of her work. Dean of Academics Heidi Woodworth shares that Ms. West “consistently shows up for fourth formers, not just in moments of difficulty, but as a steady, trusted presence throughout their crucial and often transformative sophomore year. Her genuine investment in each student’s experience is evident in everything she does.”
Bear Collab!
Claire Kim '26 invited social media influencer and fellow podcaster Nina Bradley Clarke '90 for a chat on Claire's series, Seoul-ful Sisters.
When Claire Kim discovered alumna Nina Bradley Clarke’s podcast, “Nina’s Got Good News,” she was inspired by its positive message. Earlier this year, Claire interviewed the Emmy Award-winning journalist on her own podcast, Seoul-ful Sisters. Their conversation touched on storytelling, media, and finding purpose across different stages of life. Click below to hear their uplifting conversation!
I started Seoul-ful Sisters to highlight the voices of female professionals and share their stories with young adult listeners (like me) who are figuring out their futures and could benefit from heartfelt, practical, and relatable advice." –Claire Kim '26
Interested in being a guest on Seoul-ful Sisters? Claire would love to feature additional alumni on her podcast. Please reach out to the Berkshire Communications & Marketing Department to learn more.
No. 7 Girls Varsity Basketball defeated No. 4 Lawrence Academy, 61-57, in overtime to win the NEPSAC Class B (Large) Championship—the program’s first since 1993. Congratulations to the team and coaches on an incredible season. Alivia Mauer '26 earned the Class B Tournament MVP honors with 13 points. The Bears finished the season with an overall record of 21–6, including three separate six-game winning streaks. After a tough loss to Kimball Union Academy on Senior Day, the team closed the season strong with a three-game winning streak on their way to the championship. Way to go, Bears!
These young ladies are special—I haven’t had a group like this in nine years of coaching. What they went through this year wasn’t easy, but every day we told them to 'Keep Working.' To see them pull through in that environment and in that game meant everything. I have so much respect for them. This is a memory no one can take away—they trusted the process from day one. Special thanks to Coach Splawn and Coach Rathbun; this wouldn’t have been possible without them.” –Head Coach Junior De La Hoz
Boys Varsity Squash Captures Division III National Title
Under head coach Chris Perkins, Boys Squash delivered an outstanding postseason, capturing the Division III title at the 2026 U.S. Squash High School Team Championships and finishing in second place at the Class B New England Championship.
Individually, Ahmed Abdel Rahim '26 is currently ranked the No. 1 high school individual player for the 2025-2026 season. Edison Shergalis '27 also had a standout postseason, going 7-0 during championship play.
It’s the day-to-day work by all players—from varsity veterans to players on thirds experiencing the sport for the first time—that makes the difference. We’ve taken big steps forward this season, thanks to the hard work behind the scenes from everyone involved in the program. The new banner looks great on the wall in Soffer, but the challenge now is to build on this success next year.” –Director of Squash Nick Matthew
Bears in the Playoffs!
Congratulations to Boys and Girls Varsity Hockey on securing spots in the NEPSAC Playoffs. We're proud of both teams for their hard work, dedication, and strong performances throughout the year. Congratulations as well to Girls Varsity Squash on a strong season, competing at both Nationals and New England's.
Boys Hockey shut out The Rivers School (5-0) before losing to Holderness School (1-0) in the Piatelli/Simmons Small School semifinal game. The Bears reached the playoffs for three consecutive seasons and recorded three straight 20+ win seasons under head coach Kevin Czepiel.
Girls Hockey fell to Taft in the opening round of the Patsy Odden Large School tournament. The Bears finished the season with double-digit wins and earned their second consecutive playoff berth under head coach Lisa Marshall.
Girls Squash, under head coach Shiraz Akbar, made its first appearance in Division II at the 2026 U.S. Squash High School Team Championships in Philadelphia, finishing in the top eight, and followed that with a third-place finish at the Class B New England Championship.
Additionally, the Bears competed in the NEPSAC Boys & Girls Alpine Skiing Championships. Check out our Athletics Instagram for more coverage.
Join us under the Mountain for Spring Family Weekend, Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25! We're looking forward to welcoming families for the spring concert, athletic contests, and more.
Calling all senior families!
Mark your calendar for a special Class of 2026 dinner in the Soffer Athletic Center! It's the first of many milestone events in the spring to celebrate members of the graduating class. More information to follow.
Following dinner, you're invited to attend our annual Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. in Allen Theater.
Parents Share Their Expertise During Pro Vita
Thank you to all of the Berkshire parents who joined us under the Mountain to help support or teach a Pro Vita class! Parents shared their professional expertise, talents, and time to provide students an invaluable glimpse into life beyond the classroom and helped make this year's Pro Vita a success. A few parents shared why participating in Pro Vita is so important to them:
What inspired you to teach a Pro Vita class?
Kate Doerge P'29: My favorite part of teaching Pro Vita is being with the kids. I love getting to know the students and genuinely feeling a part of the community and their everyday life. I love the school motto of "Learning, not just for school but for life" because I have experienced firsthand that it’s not your lifespan that matters, it’s your wingspan. What we do with our lives and how we impact others, that is what matters most. Pro Vita allows students to open their eyes to experiences and opportunities where they can make a difference outside of the classroom. Ken Gammill P'16, '19, '20, '22, '27: I am a father of four former Bears and one current Bear and have always worked to give back and be a part of the Berkshire community. I love the interaction with the students in and out of the classroom and seeing them engage in a topic of interest. This year I had my nephew helping me teach, and it was fun to collaborate with him on ideas and see him get out of his comfort zone to help prepare a plan. It’s also a great way to get under the hood to see what the "special sauce” is that makes Berkshire so unique. Christopher Gavigan P'26: It’s a privilege to be part of a community that values questioning the status quo, especially regarding our relationship with the natural world and humanity’s impact on it. Curiosity alone is not enough. Real progress asks us to gently challenge assumptions, explore unfamiliar perspectives, and step into discovery that expands what we believe is possible. Matt Murray P'29: The opportunity to contribute to a tradition like Pro Vita is a no-brainer for me. Being even a small part of passing on knowledge to up-and-coming leaders is a privilege, and I couldn’t be more grateful to the team at Berkshire for creating an environment where parents can roll up their sleeves alongside faculty. Kerry Tatlock P'29: The Pro Vita concept was one of the things that stood out to us about Berkshire when we were looking at schools with our daughter. I’m excited to be a part of it and learn more about the program and the students!
Winter Bulletin
Calling all alumni!
The Winter 2026 issue of the Berkshire Bulletin has been arriving in mailboxes all week! Don't miss the full recap of last summer's record-breaking Reunion Weekend.
The issue features profiles on Rachel Hechtman '08, Ned Toffey '82 and Elle Herrington '22, and Three Questions for Three Alums: John Harker '97, Zsuzsanna Bago-Horvath '96, and Alex Arjoon '11. It also includes Class Notes, where you'll find all the latest news from your fellow Bears!
Share Your News!
Keep your classmates updated with a Class Note! Submit by March 30 for the Summer 2026 Berkshire Bulletin.
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