Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School
| Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
| , | |
| Information | |
| Type | Charter Public |
| Established | 2004 |
| Principal | April West |
| Director | James C. White II, Ph.D. |
| Grades | 6-12 |
| Number of students | 208 Middle School 180 High School Total: 388 ¹[update] |
| Color(s) | purple/gold |
| Athletics | Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Ultimate |
| Website | www.bartcharter.org |
The Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School (BART), located in Adams, Mass., is a tuition-free, college-preparatory public school for middle and high school students in Northern Berkshire County, open to students in 6th through 12th grade. Students may enter from 6th through 10th grade, no new students are accepted in the 11th or 12th grade year.
BART primarily serves students in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Lanesborough, North Adams, Pittsfield, Savoy and Williamstown. Students from other towns are enrolled if space is available.
Mission statement
BART prepares students for college by promoting mastery of academic skills and content through the integration of the arts and technology in core subjects. The school provides middle and high school students in Northern Berkshire County with an educational community that regards everyone, including teachers and parents, as lifelong learners. Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School Charter Application. Page 1.
Non-traditional schedule
Students have a 10-month school year beginning at the end of August and running through the end of June. The school calendar generally follows that of the local school district in terms of vacations. Students are generally released early one day every month to provide teachers with time for professional development. The school day runs from 8:00 to 3:35, with afterschool programming until 5:40.
Curriculum
BART students take courses in the following disciplines:[2]
- Arts
- Physical fitness
- English
- History
- Math
- Science
- Spanish (HS only)
- Collegiate Skills & Senior Seminar
Additionally, students at BART have Community Meeting (a weekly grade-level meeting of students and their advisors often headed by an administrator), Advisory, Independent Reading Time (IRT), and Individual Learning Time (ILT). Qualifying students are able to take an enrichment course (either drama, music, or art) instead of ILT.
Technology
- Technology Integration
- Networked Multi-Media Projectors in the classrooms
- School-wide Wireless LAN
- Digital Video Cameras, and Digital Still Cameras
- Online Library Catalog
Arts
- Arts integration
- Music Lab using technology
- Art Studio
Sports
BART has a cross country running team, girls and boys soccer and basketball teams, and a co-ed Ultimate team.[3] The cross country team is open to students in the 6th through 12th grade, all other teams are available to students in the 8th grade and above. BART is a member of the River Valley Athletic League (RVAL), which comprises independent and charter schools in the greater Pioneer Valley region. Students must have passing grades (70% or higher) in all classes in order to participate in school athletics to promote the idea of the scholar-athlete.[4]
References
- ^ http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/state_report/sat_perf.aspx
- ^ BART Student Handbook 2015-16 Pages 1-2.
- ^ "Athletics Programs | BART". www.bartcharter.org. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
- ^ BART Charter Student Handbook 2015-16 Pages 18-19
External links
- Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School
- BArT Charter Public School Application
- Massachusetts Charter Public School Association
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
