Dear Friends,
It is true that for the last
several years many of us in the school have promoted innovation and worked hard
to ensure that our program is timely and up-to-date. That we are always pushing ourselves to stretch beyond our
current configuration should not be mistaken as a lack of appreciation for all
that has gone on in the past.
While Berkeley Carroll has been recognized as a school of the future, it
is also the case that we have a long and storied history, which we are proud to
celebrate.
The Brooklyn Bridge was only a few
years old when Berkeley Institute was founded in 1886. Brooklyn needed its own schools to
address the educational needs of the expanding borough and to serve the growing
population of families who were opting not to send their daughters over the
East River to attend one of the schools in Manhattan.
It is in that role, as one of the oldest independent schools
in New York City, that BC has played an important part in the history of
private schools in our city.
Earlier this spring Berkeley
Carroll was recognized as one of the founding members of The Parents League of
New York at a special ceremony at the New York Historical Society.The League came into existence back in
1913 in an attempt to help schools and parents better understand the pressures
that students confronted at that time.
The League is still active today with over 300 independent schools including New York City
schools and boarding schools throughout the US and abroad. The work they do continues to bring
parents and schools together in a partnership to better serve the children in
the member schools.
Our present success builds on our long history of
accomplishment.In the March/April
issue of Net Asset, the national magazine of the independent school
business officers association, Berkeley Carroll was featured in an article
highlighting innovative schools. Our use of new spaces, our partnerships with
other institutions, and our new interdisciplinary courses
were all cited as role models for other schools.
Our school is strong today because of the roots that were
formed over a century ago. As we
move into the future we will continue to challenge ourselves to be vibrant and
relevant but our efforts are fueled by the admiration we have for all who have
worked in the past to fortify our school.
Thank you for your interest in our
school.
Bob Vitalo
Head of School