We're looking forward to welcoming families to campus for Spring Family Weekend April 24 & 25!
Saturday's Keynote Speaker
Please join us in Allen Theater on Saturday, April 25, at 10:30 a.m. for a presentation by guest speaker Dr. Sarah Bennison. As an educator, activist, and social entrepreneur, Dr. Bennison provides the strategic guidance and actionable tools needed to build school communities rooted in purpose and well-being rather than just performance. She will present "Untangling Self-Worth from Achievement."
119th Commencement
Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m.
We are thrilled to be celebrating the Class of 2026 at Berkshire's 119th Commencement ceremony held at the Jackman L. Stewart Athletic Center. Following the event, graduates and their families are invited to a special luncheon under the tent. Photographers from Highpoint Pictures will be on campus to capture Commencement. They will be taking photos of the graduates before the ceremony, images of them with their diplomas, and family photos on the lawn afterwards.
Peter Quilty to Give Commencement Address
As we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2026, we are honored to announce Peter Quilty as this year's Commencement Speaker! A cornerstone of our community for over a quarter-century, Peter's selection is a tribute to his profound dedication to Berkshire and the generations of students mentored. In announcing the selection, Head of School Pieter Mulder remarked on the indelible mark Peter Quilty has left on Berkshire:
Peter's impact, leadership, and legacy across his 27 years at Berkshire have touched every aspect of the student experience. As a teacher, coach, dorm parent, advisor, and school leader, he has set such a distinctive standard for the rest of us to live up to." –Pieter Mulder
We look forward to welcoming Peter to the stage this May to share his wisdom with our graduates, their families, and the entire Berkshire community.
All-School Presidents
Congratulations to Kate O'Keefe ’27 and Lucas Gee ’27, the All-School Presidents for the 2026-27 school year! Kate and Lucas were elected from a very strong slate of nine candidates from the Class of 2027, who each presented their platforms at a school assembly.
This role is a chance to show my appreciation for Berkshire and to advocate for the entire Berkshire community. My vision is to engage with the student body as much as possible as their voices drive meaningful change. Berkshire already allows us to grow in our own ways, and I want to make sure that growth continues and strengthens within our community. My goal is to help everyone enjoy Berkshire to their fullest." –Kate O'Keefe '27
I’m truly honored by the trust the Berkshire community has put in me, and I look forward to working with all members to better this school. I’m excited to take initiative next year by fulfilling this role, which in my eyes is a way to give back to the place that has always brought the best out of me. I love Berkshire for all the opportunities it allows young students to take advantage of, and the community matches this effort with its inclusivity, curiosity, and laughter." –Lucas Gee '27
#Classof2027
2026 Scholastic Art National Medalist
In addition to the art students who earned recognition in the 2026 Regional Scholastic Art Awards, Sammie King '29 earned a National Silver Medal for her photograph. This year in the National competition, more than 335,000 works were submitted by teens from across the United States and Canada.
Academic Award Winners & Honor Roll
Congratulations to our students who earned Academic Awards and made the Honor Roll for the winter trimester! 📚👏 The presentation of academic awards acknowledges the good work, personal achievements, and academic growth of our students. The recipients of Scholar Awards and Advanced Awards were recognized at All-School Meeting on Monday, March 30.
Taking Your Own Path to Find Your Academic Passion
At the recent Academic Awards, Winnie Wood Prince '26 addressed the student body on the reality that success doesn't always come with a trophy. Describing his own path as "nonlinear and messy at times," Winnie spoke about his journey towards self-discipline and his academic breakthrough in Chinese, where he is currently pursuing an Independent Study in the Taiwanese and Beijing dialects. His message centered on the idea that while awards are worth celebrating, growth is found in resilience, discipline and putting in the work. He concluded with a supportive message to those in Allen Theater who may not have won an award yet, noting that they are "not behind, you're just on your own path."
Some of the most interesting people I have ever met did not get where they were going by following a straight path. They got there by figuring it out as they went. Nobody gets there clean; you fall, you figure it out, you keep going." –Winnie Wood Prince '26
Classroom Spotlight: Economics and Philanthropy
Michael Cohen's Economics & Philanthropy course provides a comprehensive introduction to foundational economic principles. The curriculum blends academic concepts with real-world case studies and current events to help students understand how different societies allocate their scarce resources. The class explores a variety of topics, including the Principles of the Free Market, the Role of Government in the Economy, the Power of Organized Interests, Financial Markets, and the Federal Reserve. Students also examine Productivity and Human Capital, Trade and Globalization, the Wealth and Poverty of Nations, and the ways in which Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the future of work. The course is anchored by a Speaker Series, featuring accomplished CEOs, investors, and entrepreneurs who visit the class to share their insights, experiences, and wisdom. This year's diverse lineup represents the engineering, finance, marketing, sales, and writing industries, alongside lifelong entrepreneurs.
Through these interactions, Mr. Cohen hopes students take away several essential life and professional lessons: 1. Whatever your career plan is now, it will likely evolve. Your path will be a winding one that may lead somewhere unexpected. 2. Be open to serendipity because an unexpected event or person could help to define your career. 3. Work hard and learn as much as possible. Build a consistent track record of excellence. 4. Find a mentor.
The course concludes with a philanthropy project that delivers tangible impact on local Berkshire County. Applying their coursework and learnings, students research, deliberate and debate how the class should best allocate a financial grant to a local charitable organization based on need. Through this hands-on exercise, students experience the course's defining lesson: there are no right answers, only trade-offs.
TEDx Berkshire School
What is the "Butterfly Effect"? How do we become "Comfortable with the Uncomfortable"? Why is "Toddler Confidence" so important? This year's TEDx Berkshire School event will dive into these questions and more. The lineup is sure to get everyone in the audience thinking about topics they may have never considered! Our 2026 speakers include students Molly Yan '28, Zoe Zhang '28, Abigail Smith '28, Milly Pillsbury '28, and Esmé Goodman '28; faculty members Alexis Johnson and Michael Lee; and alumnus Sam Lewis '14. A special shoutout to Claire Kim '26 and Mr. Clay Splawn for their leadership in organizing the event!
Friday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Look out for a Google Form and sign up to reserve your spot! There are only 100 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis!
ProVita Saturday Preview:
Mark your calendars! Our next Pro Vita Saturday on May 2 will focus on leadership and the power of community connections. During the programming, we will explore the idea that leadership transcends formal titles and instead can include anyone who takes the responsibility to further a group, community, or process. Students will meet with their advisory groups to work through some activities and challenges before the entire community will meet together in Allen Theater and the Campus Center front lawn. Bears, please stay tuned for more details from Mr. Donovan!
News from the College Office
College Fair | April 15
The College Office will host its Spring College Fair on Wednesday, April 15, from 12–1 p.m. in the Jack!
We’ll be welcoming admissions representatives from over 60+ colleges and universities, including Bates, Bucknell, Davidson, Kenyon, Southern Methodist University, Syracuse University, The University of Chicago, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Spring Team Photos Are Here!
Be sure to follow @berkshireschoolathletics on Instagram and Threads to keep up-to-date on athletic news, scores, and highlights!
Q&A: Griffin Schutz Joins Boys Varsity Lacrosse
Griffin Schutz brings elite playing experience to Berkshire’s boys varsity lacrosse program as an assistant coach. The No. 1-ranked recruit in the Class of 2021 by Inside Lacrosse, Schutz starred at the University of Virginia as a multiple-time All-American, ranking among the program's all-time leaders in points, assists, and goals. He was selected in the 2025 Premier Lacrosse League Draft by the California Redwoods. Read more in the Q&A below.
Alumni Spotlight
Shuvam Chakraborty ’16 is helping to redefine the future of transportation. After graduating from Stanford with bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science and statistics, he is now a software engineer at Nuro. He specializes in the "eyes and brain" of autonomous vehicles, developing the intricate perception systems that enable these cars to understand and safely navigate the world. In our latest Alumni Spotlight, Shuvam shares his insights on the future of autonomous vehicles, the AI explosion, and how his time at Berkshire keeps him grounded in the fast-paced world of technology and Silicon Valley.