Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School
Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School (BART), located in Adams, Massachusetts, United States is a tuition-free, college-preparatory public school serving 6th through 12th grade students in Berkshire County. Students may enter in 6th through 10th grade, no new students are accepted in the 11th or 12th grade year.
| Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| , United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Charter Public |
| Established | 2004 |
| Principal | Sean Keogh |
| Director | James C. White II |
| Grades | 6–12 |
| Number of students | 203 Middle School 151 High School Total: 354 ¹ |
| School color(s) | purple/gold |
| Athletics | Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Ultimate |
| Website | www.bartcharter.org |
BART primarily serves students in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Lanesborough, North Adams, Pittsfield, Savoy and Williamstown. Students from other towns may enroll if space is available.
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 8:15 to 3:40, with after school programming going until 4:40, with some after school programs going up to 5:40.
Curriculum
BART students take courses in the following disciplines:[1]
- Arts
- Music
- Physical fitness
- English
- History
- Math
- Science
- Spanish (HS only)
- Collegiate Skills & Junior/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.[2] 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.[3]
References
- 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