BERKELEY
Berkeley is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory day school for boys and girls from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. More than 1,300 students draw from the greater Tampa Bay area to form our “One Berkeley.”
We are One Berkeley
Nationally recognized for our exceptional education, Berkeley Preparatory School is equally distinguished by our close-knit community. Here, in a uniquely positive learning environment, students of every talent are welcomed and celebrated. Surrounded by opportunity, encouraged by “One” another, Berkeley students feel empowered to pursue their passions and reach their full potential.
Welcomed
At Berkeley, all students feel a special sense of belonging –within their grade, their division and the larger Berkeley family. Ours is a positive and inclusive community, where students of all ages support one another and share in a welcoming culture of kindness and respect.
WELCOME TO SCHOOL
A love for learning is instilled early at Berkeley. In the Early Childhood (Pre-K through Grade 1) years, when first impressions about learning are formed, we nurture young learners through purposeful play. Our goal is not to balance play and academics, but rather to seamlessly blend them, making learning alive, engaging and fun!
PREPARE TO ENGAGE
In such an accepting environment, our Middle Division students are exceptionally active. Here, students get involved, because at Berkeley everyone does – whether in orchestra, robotics, Latin, sports, forensics, you name it. Yes, there’s middle school peer pressure – just in a very positive way.
RESPECT FOR ALL
Every student is valued at Berkeley. That’s why in our Upper Division you’ll find no homecoming kings, no prom queens, no valedictorians and no class ranks. Every student is appreciated and celebrated – every one.
Accomplished
Berkeley is a nationally regarded college preparatory school. Known for its exceptional academics and engaging curriculum, Berkeley is a place where talented students can learn and grow in an atmosphere of inquiry and respect. This is a school where it’s cool to be smart.
AN ACCOMPLISHED FACULTY
Berkeley recruits faculty nationally, and the results are remarkable. Berkeley teachers are highly regarded, they are well educated and they are published. And did we mention they are awesome, engaging, inspiring teachers?
ESPAÑOL – A PARTIR DEL PRE-KINDER
World language starts in Pre-K at Berkeley – the reason: brain development. Research shows that the sooner you expose a child to a second language, the more it develops the language areas of the brain – for learning both foreign languages and English.
FULL STEAM AHEAD
Our Middle and Upper Division STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) programs are cutting edge. From sophisticated CAD design programs, computer programming and robots, to animation, music composition and video editing, we utilize the latest digital tools and systems – all hands-on, all to prepare for a 21st-century world.
Supported
It’s amazing what can be achieved when there are others around to support and encourage you. At Berkeley, support comes from all directions – from a caring faculty, to an inclusive student body, to an unparalleled range of resources.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Technology is integral to a Berkeley education. You’ll find our 4th and 5th graders regularly working with iPads – researching, writing, designing presentations, mixing audio, creating videos and more. They’re learning 21st-century skills as part of a technology-focused, 21st-century education.
ADVISORY GROUPS
In addition to support provided by classroom teachers and academic deans, Middle and Upper Division students also participate in Advisory groups. It’s an opportunity to relate in a smaller, relaxed environment, giving students a sounding board and yet another level of support to ensure their success.
EVERYONE WINS
No matter your level of athletic ability, you’ll have a chance to compete at Berkeley. Our “open participation policy” ensures that all Middle and Upper Division students have the opportunity to play on a team. It’s why more than 80 percent of Berkeley students compete in at least one sport!
Confident
Confidence is instilled throughout a student’s years at Berkeley. We encourage our students to develop a positive sense of themselves – as readers, writers, speakers, scientists, artists and more. It is a self-assurance that will embolden them through their school years, and for the rest of their lives.
STAGE MIGHT
Public speaking skills are emphasized at Berkeley. Starting as early as Pre-K, our students are presenting in classrooms and performing on stages. They learn early on to be comfortable in front of an audience, developing poise, confidence and a bold sense of can-do.
THE WRITE STUFF
All Berkeley students write – and they write often. In addition to classroom instruction, our Betty-Bruce Hoover Writing Center offers Middle and Upper Division students personalized guidance and one-on-one peer tutoring, helping them to become competent and confident writers.
A PLACE OF HONOR
Walk down Berkeley’s hallways and you’ll notice something different from other schools – namely, most of the lockers are unlocked. It’s just one example of how our school’s Honor Code instills trust and confidence throughout our school community. Honesty, integrity and respect – these values transform our campus. They transform us.
Empowered
Berkeley offers an empowering learning experience. Here, students who are bright and curious join with teachers who are passionate and creative. The result is an inspiring, energizing education, where students are able to discover their unique talents and achieve their very best.
KNOWN AND NURTURED
Berkeley is a family, where each student is known and cared about. Our Lower Division teachers go to great lengths to understand each child’s unique capabilities, interests and needs. It’s a deep connection that our teachers value. It’s a genuine caring that our young students feel.
FREEDOM TO DISCOVER
Middle Division students develop a love of learning because they’re free to be someone special – themselves. Whether it’s participating in the school play or a debate, or delving into poetry or mythology, every Berkeley student is empowered by an environment of openness and respect.
TAKE THE LEAD
Leadership opportunities abound at Berkeley. They start early –fifth graders serve as Lower Division tour guides. Middle Division students lead forums, councils and service projects. And in Upper Division, student leaders step it up even further, filling leadership roles in approximately 100 co-curricular activities and clubs.
Passionate
When students are engaged, when they’re excited about what they’re studying, learning takes off. Here, in a dynamic school environment filled with every imaginable opportunity, Berkeley students enter classrooms each day eager, curious and ready to learn – with a passion!
PLAY-BASED LEARNING
For our youngest Lower Division students, we see play as essential to the learning process. Our curriculum allows our students to engage in playful inquiry, where they have opportunities to be curious, take risks and discover a lifelong love of learning.
SCIENCE BEYOND THE TEXTBOOK
How do you interest Middle Division students in science? Well...make science interesting. At Berkeley, our 6th graders build robots. Our 7th graders learn Java programming. Our 8th graders learn HTML5 coding, when they’re not dissecting sheep eyeballs, hearts and brains. We’ve found that when science is hands-on, the light bulbs go on.
SEEING IS UNDERSTANDING
Off-campus excursions are integral to learning in our Upper Division. An anatomy class visits a state-of-the-art medical simulation center. An AP Statistics class visits a local TV station to calculate viewer ratings. Art students spend three weeks in Florence, Italy exploring the works of the Old Master artists.
Well-Rounded
Berkeley is recognized for outstanding academics, but ours is also an exceptionally well-rounded education. Here, students find immense opportunities, the equal of any independent school in the nation, enabling them to grow as whole individuals and thrive in ways they never thought possible.
I AM A STUDENT-ATHLETE
Berkeley athletics produces champions both on and off the field. Annually ranked as a top five athletic program amongst 80 Bay area public and private schools, Berkeley has also been named the overall FHSAA Academic Team Champion since 2011!
I AM AN ARTIST
From painting to printmaking, main-stage musicals to one-act plays by student playwrights, Berkeley is committed to the idea that the arts are for all. We are one of the very few schools in the area that offer visual and performing arts for everyone, every year, Pre-K through Grade 12.
I AM A SERVANT-LEADER
Community service is part of the fabric of Berkeley – not simply an add-on. Our commitment to helping others begins in Pre-K and continues through Grade 12 and beyond. Annually, our students perform more than 30,000 hours of community service –giving of themselves, but receiving so much more.
Bold
Bring your comfort zone to Berkeley, but be prepared to quickly move beyond it. Here, surrounded by opportunity and encouragement, you’ll be challenged, as every Berkeley student is, to step out, explore new interests and stretch your limits as never before.
PICK YOUR PASSION
With our incredible array of after-school activities for Lower and Middle Division students, there’s no telling what new interests you’ll boldly pursue. It may be soccer, chess, painting, robotics, guitar, yoga, golf, jazz dance, gardening, sewing...the list goes on and on.
HARKNESS TABLE
Every Upper Division English class at Berkeley has a Harkness Table, where teacher and students gather in a small group to share ideas. Highly discussion-based, the Harkness Method requires students to take leadership in the discourse –questioning one another, presenting arguments and crafting their unique voices as learners.
A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Berkeley emboldens students to see a larger world. Starting in 6th grade, students begin study in Chinese, French, Latin or Spanish. Each year, students from Grades 8-12 travel overseas for cultural exchanges, community service and study abroad. Our Global Scholars program provides a rigorous international education that enhances each student’s understanding of the greater global community.
Prepared
Berkeley graduates are well-rounded individuals, instilled with the values of discipline, diligence and integrity. They are highly accomplished and, as a result, highly sought after. Annually, our graduating seniors earn over $9 million in scholarships, and an average of 87 percent of each class qualifies for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program.
COLLEGE READY
Berkeley students are college ready. With more than 40 Advanced Placement (AP), Honors and Advanced Topics courses, our students are exceptionally prepared –a fact widely recognized by the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities.
COLLEGE GUIDANCE
College counseling begins early at Berkeley, starting at the end of the sophomore year. Ours is a uniquely individualized program, where students and families receive the personal attention and continuous guidance they need to navigate the complex world of college admissions.
A MATCH TO BE MADE
All Berkeley graduates go to college. We help each student find the right college fit, where they can reach their goals and live their dreams. Our mission will always be to help each and every student identify and get accepted to the best school – for them.
One Berkeley
We invite you to learn more about the Berkeley experience. Discover how young lives are being transformed in this unique campus community. Learn how excellence, integrity and respect are lived out here each day. See in the faces of our confident, passionate students just how welcoming, empowering and life changing a “One Berkeley” education can be.
VISIT BERKELEY
We encourage parents and students to schedule a campus visit – to experience firsthand the positive culture and excellence of Berkeley, and to discuss the admissions process.
To schedule a visit, please call the Admissions Office at 813-885-1673.
OPEN HOUSES
During the fall season, we host two separate Admissions Open Houses – one for our Lower Division (Grades Pre-K to 5) and another for our Middle and Upper Divisions (Grades 6 to 12). We host an additional Admissions Open House for prospective families in Grades 6-12 in the winter.
For more information, please visit www.berkeleyprep.org/openhouse.
APPLY TO BERKELEY
Berkeley welcomes inquiries from families throughout the year. Due to the competitive nature of the admissions process, families are encouraged to contact the school as early as possible.
Photography:
Design: © Peapod Design, New Canaan, CT Peapod Design, James Kegley Copywriting: Scott Suhr
4811 KELLY ROAD
TAMPA, FLORIDA 33615 (813) 885-1673
WWW.BERKELEYPREP.ORG Berkeley puts people in the world who make a positive difference.
