Belonging to a Vibrant School Community

One BHS community member, who has worked with Middle School students for over a decade, recently remarked that the most amazing thing about our MS students is that they have well developed self-awareness and confidence. As a result, they are incredibly well-adjusted and well-spoken individuals who are patient, caring, and kind. This community member remarked that they had never spoken with a group of MS students before who were as poised and self-assured as ours. There are a number of reasons why Berkeley Hall is so capable of producing stellar young adults. 

If you read our reviews or speak with someone who has experienced the magic of Berkeley Hall about what makes us special, it is abundantly clear that our community plays a very large role. Because of that, we pay very close attention to how we build our community. We love all students so much that we go above and beyond to make sure that each student coming into our community is the perfect fit - not only for us, but for them - even if the best school for them is not us. By staying “on-mission” we’re able to cultivate a community of like-minded individuals, who feel a strong sense of belonging. This doesn’t mean that everyone has the same political beliefs, cultural background, or even financial status. In fact, Berkeley Hall is proud to be one of the most diverse independent schools in Los Angeles at 51%! It means that Berkeley Hall attracts families who have a growth mindset and believe that every child has unlimited God-given potential. 

Teachers truly care about the development of each child, which means that each student is offered opportunities to push ahead or if needed, to catch up if needed, and not only academically. Our teachers get to know our students on a personal level, which makes it easy when the time comes to recommend high schools that are a good fit. 

Thanks to the feeling of belonging and safety that our community provides our students, they are more willing to try new things and break out of their comfort zones, academically, emotionally, and physically. Students participate in a number of extracurricular activities, both during and after school, which allows them to discover new passions. We take pride in the quality of our athletics and arts programs but prioritize participation over competition. Students learn how to lead and practice good sportsmanship, while becoming more versatile both physically and mentally.

Since all our students are all expected to live Berkeley Hall’s four core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and compassion, everyone’s on the same page. Students approach new and established friendships from the same standpoint and with these shared values are better able to support each other. When conflicts arise, students are given ample support from teachers, administrators, and parents to work through issues together. They learn how to disagree respectfully while appreciating that differences make us stronger as a community. 

Another aspect of our community that helps us develop strong young adults is Berkeley Hall’s preschool through 8th grade model. This allows our middle school students to take on  leadership roles in a safe environment. They have already experienced what it’s like to be the oldest members of a community and are more empathetic, patient, and kind as a result. These leadership opportunities really help to create poised young adults. 

Berkeley Hall has been cultivating Fearless Scholars and Conscientious Citizens since 1911. These wonderful graduates leave BHS fully capable of handling the challenges ahead of them in high school and beyond.