<p>I absolutely adore the setting of the Berkshire school! I was wondering how it compares to GLADCHEMMS schools. I won't go to boarding school unless I go to a very competitive school, because I already go to a good private school, so would you say it is tough?</p>
<p>From other posts on CC about it I concluded that it wasn't so competitive and if this is true do you know of any other schools with a setting/campus like Berkshire? I really like how it is nestled into the mountains and forest.</p>
<p>I know a few Berkshire families. Yes, it’s a very good school. The science buildings are new and amazing. Also has very impressive sports facilities. As far as a comparable setting, check out Hotchkiss. Lakeville is lovely.</p>
<p>Thanks! And i agree hotchkiss has a beautiful setting! But I was looking for some lower tier schools (still good schools, just higher acceptance rates) because I don’t know about them like I know about GLADCHEMMS and will probably apply to a few.</p>
<p>Hi, I have personal experience with both Hotchkiss and Berkshire. I think that they are both terrific schools. Berkshire is definitely easier to get into, but it is not a cake walk, either. Their acceptance rate this last year was around 24%, where as Hotchkiss was around 16%. However, the kids that apply to Berkshire may not all have quite as high of test scores of the kids that apply to Hotchkiss, based on average SSAT scores of those accepted. That being said, I believe Berkshire to be an up and coming school. The Head Master, who was previously at Taft for many years, has made enormous strides in improving the academic stature of the school. I am really impressed by him. Berkshire is known for their science program, which has Intel finalists every year, and their facilities are unbelievable. I really love the campus, and I think the teachers are passionate, intelligent and care about the kids. Feel free to PM me if you have other questions.</p>
<p>Brooks School might be another one worth checking out. On a lake, classic New England village vibe, great school. Oh, and maybe Holderness School, as well. Both are worth looking at to see if they appeal to you.</p>
<p>My son is a 9th grader at Berkshire and I agree with what hockeymom18 has to say about Berkshire. In speaking with faculty, parents of upperclassmen, and older students, it seems as though there is a definite trend upward in terms of the academics, both in quality and in how much the classes are challenging the students. I would say that the education at Berkshire is quite rigorous. To match the excellent math-science research program, they recently launched a similar humanities research program. </p>
<p>We and our son also love Berkshire’s physical setting. You can do rock-climbing or back country skills as a fall sport, which really lets students take advantage of the mountain. I encourage the OP to apply!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! And yes I noticed that Berkshire had a wonderful Science program which is definitely a plus for me. I’m going to definitely consider applying! It is probably a good fit for me because even though my academics are strong and test scores high, I am definitely not the most competitive and my ECs are not outstanding, something that I could see myself building on at Berkshire if I get the chance to attend. I think a lot of the major schools like Deerfield and Andover will barely give me a second look because I am just now starting to prove my character and act on my interests as a high school sophomore, something I can’t quite go into detail on an application covering 9th grade and the first half of 10th.</p>