Hey guys! Berkshire student here happy to answer any questions about the school that you may have.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
As with all “Ask Me Anything” threads, all students/parents/alum/staff are welcome to chime in to answer questions.
My son was accepted to Berkshire. We’re almost sure he’ll be attending. What does Berkshire do for 9th grader to make the transition as easy as possible? Are there new students events?
@younglord Berkshire does an amazing job at making sure the transition is easy for both the kid and parents. New students get to school a few days before returning students for an orientation weekend. This is how it went during my orientation so I’m not positive that the weekend has the exact same schedule, but it should roughly follow this format: New students are split into small groups of around 10 new students and each group is led by 2 prefects (1 boy and 1 girl). You stay with this group for certain parts of orientation, such as a more detailed campus tour, class bonding, games, hikes, etc. The whole weekend honestly felt like summer camp! During my orientation, there was a Q+ A with the prefects (prefects are seniors who are leaders on campus and live in dorms, sort of a boarding school equivalent of an RA) which was so helpful.
Events are held for new and returning students (as well as grade events) through out the whole year. This ranges from outdoor games to hiking to ice cream socials or a pizza party!
Prefects play such an important role in the transition period. They are who you go to when you want to talk through a problem, are homesick, or just want to hang out with somebody. Especially during the first few weeks of school, while everybody is adjusting, prefects are an awesome resource and you know that they will always be there to help. One of my prefects freshman year was so kind and made my dorm feel like home. She would come tuck my roommate and I in every night before bed (sounds kind of weird, but it was actually very sweet:)) and was always there for us.
Berkshire is super aware that the first few weeks of school is when homesickness is likely to kick in. After the first week or two of summer camp fun, the adreniline starts to wear off and the reality that Berkshire is actually a school where you have to go to classes and do homework sets in 
To try and combat homesickness around this period, Berkshire keeps us busy. We have classes during the day, our afternoon sport/activity, dinner, and study hall. Berkshire always hosts lots of fun and different events on the weekends as well. The school tries to make sure that we are kept occupied and busy, so we don’t have a ton of downtime alone. This is typically when people would start to feel the most homesick.
Another important element of the transition period that is helpful for both new and returning students is the advisor system. Advisors are a godsend! They are so, so critical and really shape the students experience. I love my advisor so much and she has become like a close friend/mother figure to me. We meet with our advisory group (typically 2-6 students and 1 advisor) on Tuesday mornings and have lunch with them on Wednesdays. Our advisors are always just a text away and are amazing. When I was sick, my advisor brought me freshly baked cookies, tissues, and vitamins “just because”. This is just one of many examples I could think of that shows how much they truly care. Both my mom and dad are in contact with my advisor and she sends them updates of how I’m doing. If they have any questions/ concerns about me, they text her. Berkshire’s advisory system is truly incredible and plays a major role in helping to facilitate a smooth transition for both the student and their family.
Sorry for writing so much- I got a bit carried away Feel free to ask any other questions you may have.
As you know, @cababe97 , I’m a former faculty member and loyal fan of Berkshire. It’s an extraordinary place, and students who are given the opportunity to spend their high school years “under the mountain” are fortunate indeed. @cababe97, I think you’re a terrific ambassador for the school. I hope you’re a Green Key tour guide! 
Wow thank you @cameo43 ! That means a lot- I love Berkshire and I’m glad that I’m able to share with others
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@cameo43 I knew you had previously worked at a BS but did not know it was Berkshire! I have never been there myself, but two of my cousins attended in the 90’s and they loved it! I have always held the school in high regard after hearing so much about their great experiences there.
And @cababe97 I agree that you are a great ambassador to Berkshire! I’ve seen you post about the school many times in the 18 months that I have been on CC. You are a great asset to have here!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed response. I agree, you’re a great ambassador for Berkshire. I feel less anxious now that I know the school pays close attention to making sure the kids aren’t thrown into the fray and expected to figure it out. I spoke to a present Berkshire family over the weekend and she echoed your exact sentiment about the school. One notable thing she mentioned was that Berkshire has this ability to inspire each child who is willing and opportunity to grow and do things they otherwise wouldn’t. My son is very excited. Thank you and good luck.
@cababe97 I have questions about sports and afternoon activities.
How does the afternoon sports/activities function? Are competitive sport teams required all 3 seasons, 2 of 3, etc? Does the requirement vary year to year (change as student gets older)? Are things like theater or robotics subbed for sports?
Is it possible for a kid who would like to try a new a sport, but has never played, to make the JV or 3rds team? Or are those really development teams to groom already proven kids for varsity, so no room for a newbie? Have you heard of kids trying a new sport at school (where they are out of their comfort zone and starting pretty low)? Is there some kind of “everyone makes the team” philosophy for JV or 3rds?
Are their other opportunities for sports beyond the competitive interscholastic teams (intermurals)?
Is there a formal outdoors activity program? Example: during afternoon sports time kids can do a hiking program or learn rock climbing? I didn’t see outdoor clubs listed on the website, beyond fishing. How much do students make use of the Berkshires setting & the campus acreage for outdoors pursuits (hiking, ropes course, canoeing, mountain biking, etc.)?
If you are doing something like robotics team or volunteering, does that take the place of sports at the afternoon sports time? What if you want to volunteer, but you also want to stay fit and work out?
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide. I really appreciate it!
@LeeLeeB Great questions! Every student is required to participate in an afternoon activity all three seasons. This can be participating in sports, theater, art option, music option, community service, the mountain/outdoor program, STEAM, the advanced math science research program, etc. There are no requirements for students to fulfill a certain number of athletic seasons, however, most students will try out some form of athletic activity during their time at Berkshire for at least a year.
It is totally possible for students to try new sports! I’m pretty sure that every single team has a JV team and some teams even have Thirds teams (this can vary by year and depends on demand). For a majority of sports where there is consistently a thirds team, there are rarely cuts. Berkshire wants students to try new things and makes sure to provide students with the opportunities and space to do so. I came into Berkshire having only played one sport in middle school that is not offered at Berkshire. I am not athletic or “sporty” by any means, but I tried out three new sports freshman year. I fell in love with one of them and have been playing for the past few years. Most kids come in either at varsity level or have never played and want to try a new sport. At Berkshire, this is encouraged and supported. Berkshire is a really safe environment to get outside of your comfort zone and try new things. I have also participated in other nonathletic offerings in the afternoon, which I have also really enjoyed.
We don’t really have any intermural teams, but there are clubs such as Spikeball club and frisbee that offer outdoor activities in a noncompetitive environment.
There is an outdoor mountain program called RKMP (Ritt Kellog Mountain Program). It is offered as an afternoon option all 3 seasons and is typically quite popular. Students in the program go hiking on the Berkshire campus (we are situated on a 400 acre campus beneath a mountain), learn outdoor survival skills, go camping, fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc. During rainy days, RKMP takes advantage of our indoor rock wall and works on skills indoors. Berkshire’s campus and the setting is a big part of the culture and curriculum at Berkshire, Classes try to incorporate the outdoors as much as possible. English electives such as “The Mountain and Me” read poetry and books about nature and go camping. Chemistry classes take a “Chemistry Mountain Day” where they go test water from the creek that runs through campus, as well as in the local surrounding towns. The Environmental Science program (Environmental science, AP Environmental Science, and the Advanced Environmental Science Research Program) utilizes the outdoors and places a heavy emphasis on place based learning. We take advantage of what the campus has to offer. For example, in my environmental science class last year, we studied moss on trees around campus, studied vernal pools and salamanders by hiking on Berkshires campus, etc.
If you are doing community service as an afternoon option, that would take the place of sports. However, there is a gym open to students and many students will work out in the mornings, before/after dinner, etc. People on campus enjoy getting outdoors and being active!
Hope I answered your questions. Feel free to ask for any clarifications and let me know if you have anything else you are wondering about! 