Arrival Dates to Campus
Thursday, August 28
New international students, Orientation leaders, and preseason varsity candidates (field hockey, football, soccer, volleyball) arrive
Registration: 10 am – 12 pm
Saturday, August 30
New domestic students, Green & Gray, Green Key, and Trailblazer leaders arrive
Registration: 10 am – 12 pm
Monday, September 1
Returning students arrive
10 am – 12 pm
Note: International students must bring a passport and I-20 to registration. According to immigration law, non-U.S. passport holders are required to present a passport, visa, and I-20 for registration.
A Message from Heidi Woodworth, Dean of Academics
There is something special about the seasonal shifts that come with life in schools. For us at Berkshire, October means Fall Family Weekend, January brings us the joys of Winter Carnival, and all May we look forward to Prize Night. August is no different, as we start to set our gaze on the possibilities and opportunities that come with a new school year.
Whether you are joining us under the Mountain for your very first day of school or returning for your fourth first day at Berkshire, this time of year fills us all with the excitement that comes with new beginnings. Guided by our motto, Learning, not just for school but for life, Berkshire will empower you to lean into all that your education here can offer each of you.
These August days offer the opportunity to think not only about what your goals are, but also how you want to go about achieving them. You have a team of teachers, an advisor, a form dean, coaches, and dorm parents who are here to support you as you navigate this year and make the most of your time at Berkshire.
We are thrilled to welcome you to campus in a few short weeks and can't wait to see what this new school year will bring for each of you. When you drive up Berkshire's entrance, know that our entire community is eagerly awaiting your arrival with open arms.
Meet the Form Deans
Form Deans are in consistent contact with fellow faculty members and are responsible for helping chart students' academic progress through Berkshire.
Academic questions? Connect with the Form Deans:
Mr. Perkins: cperkins@berkshireschool.org
Mrs. West: awest@berkshireschool.org
Ms. Barnhardt: kbarnhardt@berkshireschool.org
Mr. McCabe: mmccabe@berkshireschool.org
The below faculty members serve as House Heads. They’ll lead a group of fellow dorm faculty and adjuncts assigned to each dorm. Dorms are organized by “vertical housing,” which means that every dorm has students from each grade, allowing upperclassmen to serve as role models and new students to feel a part of the wider community right from the start.
Day Student Contact
Kristina Luce serves as Berkshire’s Day Student Coordinator. She will be in regular touch with communication specific to day student families and will help students navigate life on campus. Each day student is affiliated with a dorm where they are encouraged to spend time and participate with those residents in events like Winter Carnival and dorm bonding activities.
Connect with Ms. Luce: kluce@berkshireschool.org
Faculty Award Winners
Congratulations to our faculty who were recognized for their outstanding work during the 2024-25 school year!
From left: Sam Ortega, Clay Splawn, Lizzy Spalding ’07, Lissa McGovern, Tess Hardcastle ’06, and Peter Quilty
Sam Ortega: The Puth Family Advisor Award
Clay Splawn: The Class of 1957 Faculty Award (for a veteran faculty member)
Lizzy Spalding ’07: The Kellogg-Silverman-Kontos Award
Lissa McGovern: The Seaver Buck Faculty Award
Tess Hardcastle ’06: The Class of 1957 Faculty Award (for a newer faculty member)
Peter Quilty: The Aliis Non Sibi Award
All students were assigned English class-specific titles that were chosen to support the work done within the core curriculum throughout the year. Knowledge of the form-specific reads will be assessed early in the trimester.
Students in AP courses and some advanced sections have supplemental reading assignments as well. See below link for a complete list.
Back-to-School Swag
Looking for back-to-school supplies and some new Bear wear? Visit The McLanahan Bookstore! Shop online and save on shipping by picking up your order at Registration.
Bookstore Hours During Registration:
Thursday, Aug. 28: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 29: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 30: 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 31: Closed
Monday, Sept. 1: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Dress Code
Berkshire guidelines for the dress code are designed to help students present themselves in a way that aligns with the School’s community standards and values while also allowing for individual expression and comfort.
Details outlining Berkshire's guidelines for Classroom Dress are below.
Fall Photo Day is scheduled for Friday, September 26. Photographers from Highpoint Pictures will join us on campus to capture photos of ALL students! No pre-ordering is required! Parents and guardians will receive email proofs prior to purchasing.
A Message from Shannon Tyree Brown, Director of Parent Engagement
As Berkshire's Director of Parent Engagement, I’m excited to welcome families to campus and partner with you throughout the upcoming year. Alongside our Parents Association, I look forward to sharing details about upcoming events and community-building opportunities at Berkshire.
New families, I hope you’ll tune in to our New Parent Zoom on Tuesday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. Additionally, following Registration and dorm meetings on Saturday, August 30, I invite you to join me and fellow Berkshire community members for refreshments in Geier Library before heading home.
I look forward to meeting you and your child(ren) very soon, and I encourage you to please reach out anytime. I can be reached via email at styreebrown@berkshireschool.org.
Fall Family Weekend
Thursday, October 9 – Saturday, October 11, 2025
Berkshire looks forward to having families join us for Fall Family Weekend, a time filled with opportunities to experience life under the Mountain. We’ll begin on Thursday, October 9 with a cocktail reception at nearby Race Brook Lodge, followed by our Fall Concert back on campus. On Friday and Saturday, families will have the opportunity to attend classes, meet with advisors, and gather as a full community for a varsity football game under the lights!
More information and registration to follow soon.
Summer Receptions
We loved getting the chance to come together with some of our new Bears this summer! Pictured below: receptions in Darien, Conn., Lakeville, Conn., Long Island, NY, New York City, and San Francisco. We're very grateful to our generous hosts!