Curriculum

Course of Studies

 

The following core courses run through the academic year:

English I, II, III, and IV
Mathematics Geometry with Trigonometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus, and Calculus
Foreign Language Spanish I, II, III, and IV or German I, II, III, and IV

 

The following Seminar courses in Science, History & Geography, and Literature are block scheduled for 3-6 weeks:

12th Grade Seminars Zoology & Evolution Physics: Optics/Experimental Design Modern World History Economics Chemistry: Biochemistry History through Architecture Social Justice Latin American History Projects/Internships Astronomy Modern Literature & Philosophy	11th Grade Seminars Dante’s Divine Comedy History & Culture of China History through Music Medieval Literature Physics: Electricity/Magnet Chemistry: Atomic Medieval History Projects/Internships Surveying Botany
10th Grade Seminars World Religion Earth Science Physics: Kinematics U.S. Constitution History through Language Homer’s Odyssey Ancient History Embryology, Cell Biology Physical Chemistry	9th Grade seminars Physics: Thermodynamics History Through Art American Literature Anatomy & Physiology Poetry U.S. History Since 1900 Organic Chemistry History of Drama History through Technology
Fine Arts courses change quarterly Painting Drawing Block Printing Ceramics Marble sculpture Bookbinding Basketry Blacksmithing	Performing Arts courses change quarterly Ensemble Drama Eurythmy Modern Dance Chorus (yearlong)

Please Note: All of our courses are required. All of our courses are Honors level. We do not rank students.  Transcripts will show actual courses and seminars taken, which may differ slightly from those listed.

Graduation Requirements: Except in extraordinary circumstances, noted on a student’s transcript, all students take all courses at our high school. Students generally earn 7.50 credits per year, each credit reflecting 120 class hours. Six of these credits are for academic classes. The rest are for arts and physical education classes. Transcripts may reflect credit earned while on foreign exchange, but, usually, we simply include the report or transcript of the foreign school.

Grading and Ranking Procedures: We grade from A+ (98 % or 4.33) to D- (60% or 0.67). Grades of F receive no credit but are marked on the transcript. We do not weight our students’ grades. We do not rank our students.

Courses: All academic, arts, and physical education courses are required for all four years of high school, with the exception of occasional choice in the arts. All courses are considered Honors courses. We do not offer AP courses.

Test Score Information: 100% of our seniors and juniors will take the SAT I this year. Mean scores for the SAT I for past tests are:
Critical Reading 650
Math 600
Writing 620

Please note that our school does not administer nor prep for standardized tests, SAT or other. Most of our students encounter the PSAT as a first standardized test.

School and Community Information: The Berkshire Waldorf High School is a rigorous, college preparatory, independent, coeducational Waldorf day school. As a Waldorf school, founded on the educational principles of Rudolf Steiner, we aim to balance rigorous academic work with required fine art, practical art, and performing art classes. As a school on Main Street of a small town, we aim to integrate our school into our community, aiding community soup kitchens, a local environmentally-friendly river walk, and local community-supported organic farms, while using local resources—libraries, artists’ studios, museums and the great outdoors—to extend our small campus.

Stockbridge is a town of 2,300 year-rounders and approximately 5,000 summer vacationers in the Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts.  Approximately half our students come from southern Berkshire County; the rest come from northern Litchfield County in Connecticut and eastern Columbia County in New York. Their parents are teachers, dairy farmers, doctors, publishers, building contractors, small business owners, and paper mill employees. Many but not all are college graduates.