Berkwood Hedge Middle School?
I'd love to hear the current reviews about Berkwood Hedge Middle School.
We're considering this school for our kiddo who is smart and creative but socially a bit awkward and has learning difference. The middle school being so new, I'm curious how the school prepares students for high school. I'd also be curious to learn more about the small size and whether such a small school can actually provide all of the classes and activities that it claims to provide on its website.
If you are a current or recent BH Middle School family, would you be willing to share what you love and don't love about the school? What were some things that surprised you when your child began attending the school?
We're looking for a smaller school that understands neurodiversity and excels at differentiated learning, social emotional learning, and executive functioning and study habits development. We did consider the Berkeley School and East Bay School both of which seem to lack performing arts and we ruled them out. Aurora School is in consideration but it seems smaller than Berkwood Hedge and seems to offer less specialist classes. Child feels very strongly against single gender schools. We are not considering religious schools.
Thank you.
Parent Replies
We recently joined BH middle school after a terrible experience at another private school.
We do not live close to BH and would never have considered it except we were forced to search far and wide for a school that would meet our child’s needs and help heal from trauma we experienced at the previous school.
BH is small in a good way — the school team will not let any child fall through the cracks or fall behind. But, it is not too small. It is big enough to have a structure and a feel of a middle school with each grade having their own classes.
BH does offer robust specialist programs which is so unique for a small school. Art, dance, drama, music, PE teachers are all very warm, caring, and beloved.
I have no idea how the school prepares kids for a high school. But, I am also not focused on getting my child into CPS or Head Royce.
Academics are engaging, interesting, and supportive/collaborative. Having transferred from a more traditional academic setting, there is less homework, less academic pressure (no letter or number grade), less worksheets, and less “drill into kids a lot of knowledge in different subjects”. The emphasis seems more on developing skills (how to learn, how to research, think critically, write thoughtfully, working collaboratively and creatively as a group, how and when to ask for help, how to organize) and practicing these skills gradually in a kind and supportive environment. There are homework and quizzes but it feels much more manageable.
However, if your child needs challenge, the school is also able to differentiate within a reasonable range. Our child is 2E and craves intellectual challenges but also has a lot of work to do on social emotional and executive functioning. BH meets each child where they are at and my child has something nice to say about their new school every day (interesting projects in class, how less stressful lunch time is, etc.)
Latin is such a welcome class and very unique to BH.
Middle school is such a complex time, and I feel that BH truly is a wonderful partner to raise children. Every teacher at every school says they partner with families. BH truly is a partner.
The campus is so beautiful and peaceful. Another big bonus.
If I have to think about something that could be better at the school, it would be there seems to be lack of admin/operational heft which happens at all small schools. However, critical information is always shared and everyone is very responsive. There is no hot lunch program. Not an issue for us because we always pack lunch but for some families this could be a negative.