Brooklyn private independent school

Our History



To read the full history of The Berkeley Carroll School

Berkeley Carroll, one of the oldest college prep schools in New York City, has had a great respect for academic tradition since it was founded in the late 19th century. Throughout its evolution from the original Berkeley Institute to the present day, the school has been committed to providing a rigorous college preparatory program and a hands-on approach to education that focuses on critical, ethical and global thinking. Below is a timeline of key events in our history.

 

 

  • 1883 : Rev. Alfred C. Roe holds informal classes for neighborhood children on Lincoln Place
  • 1886 : Berkeley Institute chartered by New York State
  • 1898 : Original Lincoln Place building takes shape
  • 1917 : Ina Clayton Atwood appointed headmistress
  • 1936 : First issue of The Blotter published
  • 1937 : Construction begins on a new gymnasium
  • 1947 : Helen B. Mason becomes headmistress after Miss Atwood retires
  • 1966 : Montessori School of Brooklyn established with 25 students
  • 1969 : Mary Susan Miller appointed headmistress of Berkeley Institute
  • 1974 : Thomas E. Dodd named headmaster of Berkeley Institute, which becomes fully coed
  • 1975 : Dr. Bongsoon Zubay appointed head of school at Montessori School of Brooklyn
  • 1979 : Montessori School of Brooklyn changes its name to The Carroll Street School
  • 1982 : Berkeley Institute and The Carroll Street School merge
  • 1987 : First strategic plan completed
  • 1992 : Landmark, award-winning new building opens on Lincoln Place
  • 1996 : Berkeley Carroll selected as a national Blue Ribbon School
  • 1999 : Berkeley Carroll Child Care Center opens
  • 2000 : Berkeley Carroll's new Bongsoon Zubay Athletic Center opens on President Street
  • 2001 : Dr. Peter Kountz named 10th head of school
  • 2004 : Dr. Richard F. Barter appointed head of school
  • 2006 : Robert D. Vitalo becomes head of school
  • 2012 : Major building improvements completed at Carroll Street and Lincoln Place
  • 2012 : Berkeley Carroll named an NAIS School of the Future
  • 2016 : The Marlene Clary Performance Space opens on Sterling Place
  • 2019: Lisa Yvette Waller, Ph.D becomes head of school