Information for Colleges 2019-2020
A passion for learning is at the heart of Berkeley Carroll. The school is a creative and intellectual community where devoted teachers challenge and engage talented students. Our demanding curriculum and vibrant civic life prepare our diverse graduates for success in college and for the greater endeavor—a life of critical, ethical and global thinking.
A BC Education: Critical, Ethical, Global There are 320 students in the Upper School, 39% of whom identify as students of color. Approximately 32% of Upper Berkeley Carroll is a vibrant intellectual community with an academic School students receive financial aid, and the average aid program that emphasizes research and an interdisciplinary approach. award for 2019-20 is $34,302. There are 75 students in the The curriculum is marked by extensive choice, both through academic class of 2020. electives in grades 10-12, as well as opportunities to add research, extra science classes and language courses to the core program. Berkeley Carroll students are remarkably balanced. Although the school’s graduation requirement is two years of arts, 73% of the In keeping with our commitment to an education that Class of 2020 is taking a fourth year of visual or performing arts, encourages critical and creative thinking, Berkeley Carroll and many students take multiple arts. Similarly, nearly three-quarters divested from the College Board’s Advanced Placement of upper school students participate in our 21 interscholastic Program in 2011. Our challenging faculty-designed curriculum athletics program. Within the last 4 seasons, we have captured provides students with more school-designed college level and league championships in Girls Varsity Volleyball, Boys Varsity advanced courses and better fosters the attributes students need in Basketball, Girls Varsity Basketball and Boys Varsity Baseball. the 21st century, including independence, flexibility, empathy, cultural competency, and the ability to collaborate effectively. Our school Community Action challenges students to be daring thinkers who would help shape a more just and peaceful world. Berkeley Carroll’s service requirement has evolved recently from an hours-based requirement to project-based experiences designed Honor Code to connect with our curriculum and to explore current events and individual passions in support of our mission. The intent of the Students commit to following an honor code, which governs both requirement is to foster meaningful and ethical connections through academic and community life. Infractions are considered by an scaffolded reflection and direct engagement with the community. Honor Council consisting of elected student representatives and faculty. Decisions that result in suspension or expulsion will Spring Intensives be reported to colleges. Regular classes in the Upper School are suspended for two weeks The BC Community for “intensives,” innovative, interdisciplinary courses designed by our faculty in the pursuit of subject matter, often project-based, While BC students come from all five boroughs of New York City, in an immersive, focused, and mixed grade-level environment. as well as Long Island and New Jersey, the school retains a strong Intensives emphasize intellectual curiosity, depth, and rigor as well neighborhood feel, and students, parents and faculty consistently as experiential learning, frequently harnessing NYC as an extended cite the community as Berkeley Carroll’s greatest asset. Our beautiful classroom. Recent examples include Hunger and Homelessness in landmarked building in central Brooklyn is a short walk from the NYC, Chess: Tactics and Culture, Sitcoms and Society, Music and Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and an Technology, The Psychology and Science of Wellness, The Innocence easy subway ride from the rich opportunities of Manhattan. Project: Social justice Through Art, and Sustainable Brooklyn.
Carolyn Middleton Khaliah Williams Luis Almonte Mary Dunne Dr. Lisa Waller Director of College Counseling College Counselor College Counselor College Office Assistant Head of School (718) 534-6544 (718) 534-6567 (718) 534-6548 (718) 534-6596 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Accredited by NYSAIS
181 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217 • www.berkeleycarroll.org • CEEB/ACT Code: 330575 • Founded 1886 Upper School Course Offerings 2019-2020
Advanced level courses are identified inbold and should be considered most rigorous. All topics listed in English or history may not be available every calendar year. English History World Languages
4 Years Required 3 years Required 3 Years Required 9th: 9th: 9th and 10th: Myths & Legends Modern World History French, Spanish, Latin (level I-III), 10th: (Semester electives) 10th: (Semester electives) Mandarin I-II, Arabic* Harlem Renaissance and its Discontents Africa and The West 11th: Nigerian Postcolonial Literature Apartheid and Jim Crow: French, Spanish, Latin (level I-III), Mandarin II/III, Novels of Jane Austen and the Brontes Racial Segregation in South Africa and the US Mandarin III Adv, Spanish III/IV Adv, Voice and Style Cultures in the Caribbean French IV Adv, Arabic* Will’s World: Shakespeare History of Globalization 12th: Women on the Edge Holocaust and Human Behavior French: From Camus to Godard Adv (semester) Youth in Literature: Teenage Riot Latin America in the 20th & 21st Centuries French: Pluriculturalism in 21st 11th: Modern China Century France Adv (semester) French: Zola and Beyond (Literature) American Studies Modern Middle East Spanish IIII, IV, V, Spanish III Adv, IV Adv, 12th: (Semester electives) World War II World Religions Latinos in NYC, Marginal Voices of the Coming of Age in the Novel Hispanic World 11th: Creative Writing: Fiction Latin: Literature of the Augustan Age American Studies Creative Writing: Playwriting Mandarin I-IV, Mandarin III Adv, Arabic* Media Literacy 12th: (Semester electives) *Arabic taken as an additional language through Political Writer in Exile African American History I Johns Hopkins CTY Richard Wright and James Baldwin African American History II The Essay America & the Cold War Computer Science The Family Tree American South: Since Reconstruction History, Popular Narrative, and 1.5 Years Required Math Social Change Nietzsche, Freud, and Sartre 9th: 3 Years Required US LGBTQ History Computer Digital Essentials US Since 1945: Democracy in Progress Art (formerly Digital Essentials 9) 9th: History (Year-long course) 10th: Algebra I: Part II, Geometry, Adv. Geometry, Senior Scholars Program (Year-long, Computer Programming Essentials II Algebra II, Adv. Algebra II application only) (formerly Computer Programming Essentials) 10th: 11th and 12th: Algebra II, Adv. Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Adv. Science Alexa, Can I Trust You? Pre-Calculus Des/Programming Virtual Musical Instruments 3 Years Required 11th: Digital Filmmaking Algebra II, Topics in College Math, Pre-Calculus, 9th: Responsive Web Applications I & II Adv. Pre-Calculus, Calculus I, Adv. Calculus I, Biology iOS Development I & II Multivariable Calculus, Statistics 10th: Cross-Platform Game Design (semester) 12th: Linux Operating System Chemistry Pre-Calculus, Adv. Pre-Calculus, Design and Development (semester) Calculus I, Adv. Calculus I, Adv. Chemistry I Multivariable Calculus, Statistics Intro Science Research and Design (SRD)* Visual and Performing Arts 11th and 12th Physics 2 Years Required Environmental Science Drawing & Painting: I, II, Portfolio, Exhibition Biotechnology (semester) Photography: I, II, Portfolio, Exhibition Anatomy and Physiology (semester) Design: I, II, Portfolio, Exhibition Bioethics (semester) Ceramics and Sculpture: I, II, Portfolio, Exhibition Principles of Engineering and Design Mass Effect: From Wood Blocking to 3D Printing Adv. Science Research and Design (SRD) Acting: I, II, Actors Studio, Adv Acting Adv. Biology II Tech Theatre: I, II, Production Design, Adv. Chemistry II Adv Production Design 12th (only): Speech and Debate Advanced Physics II Dance, Dance Repertory Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Advanced Engineering II Science Research and Design: Symposium Chamber Orchestra, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir * Only taken as a second science course Key Facts for College Admissions Officers Distinctive Programs • The Berkeley Carroll calendar follows a semester system American Studies: A rigorous, co-taught, double-credit with two-week Spring Intensives in early March. course that examines “America” through the lenses of history, • Students are limited to a maximum of 7.5 academic credits/ literature, philosophy, rhetoric, and art. Course culminates in a year and must take a minimum of 5 academic credit/ major research paper, an accompanying walking tour in New year, in addition to PE, arts, and other elective courses. York City, and a final exam requiring extensive written analysis of previously unseen material. This advanced course fosters • No advanced coursework is available in English, advanced reading, writing, discussion, and research skills. science (except Adv. Chem I), or history until 11th grade. • All 12th grade English and history electives should Science Research and Design (SRD): An advanced three- be considered advanced level courses. year science program that takes students through the stages of research fundamentals, methodology and question development, • Successful completion of American Studies, an advanced original research execution, and the oral and written presentation course, earns students credit for two academic courses, of research findings. By the end of the second year, most history and English, in the junior year. students establish ties with external mentors and master several • Enrollment in the Senior Scholars, Science Research and Design, techniques for analyzing and presenting complex scientific studies. and Independent Study programs require an application and must Students completing the third year present a paper at an annual be approved by faculty committee. conference and are published in the Berkeley Carroll Independent • 100% of Berkeley Carroll graduates plan to attend a 4-year college. Research journal. Recent topics have included “Brain Plasticity: the Acquisition of Grapheme Color Synesthesia,” “A Comparison of Grading Policies and Grade Point Average the Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nano-particles against Antibiotics At Berkeley Carroll, grades are unweighted and students are not to Counter Antibiotic Resistance,” and “The Potential Uses of ranked. In the 2014-15 school year, we transitioned from the A-F Synthetic Shark Skin as a non-Toxic Antifouler and Antimicrobial.” grading scale to the 100-point scale, giving students, parents Senior Scholars Program: Designed for seniors who and colleges a more granular view of individual performance. wish to pursue advanced independent scholarly work in the Although we do not offer a cumulative GPA, we provide a humanities or social sciences, this demanding program trains realistic grade distribution from courses taken in the junior them to be responsible researchers and inquisitive citizens. year to assist colleges in assessing relative achievement. Working with mentors who are experts in their fields, students In a time when grade inflation is common, it is important meet as a class to develop and critique each other’s work. In- to note that only three students have earned a 4.0 cumulative class instruction focuses on deepening writing, research, and GPA at BC in the last ten years. For two of those years, the philosophical inquiry skills. The program culminates in a formal highest GPA was below a 3.9. Average class cumulative research paper and an accompanying public presentation, GPAs are normally between a 3.2 and 3.3. evaluated by a committee. Projects range across disciplines, from investigating the role of Artificial Intelligence in contemporary Testing Profile computer science, for example, to analyzing Toni Morrison’s SAT Reasoning Test Profile novels, to researching gender dynamics in the history of Jazz. Middle 50% *includes highest scores for all students reporting Class of 2019 EBRW 640 - 730 M 610 - 720 Principles of Engineering Design: This course introduces students to fundamental engineering principles and industrial ACT Assessment Test Profile design practices through an intentional “trial and error” approach Middle 50% *includes highest scores for all students reporting Class to learning. Students develop practical skills in building and of 2019 27-35 24-31 27-35 25-30 27-33 E M R S C experience the process of drafting sketches and blueprints of design while studying material science and learning about Junior Grade Distribution, 2018 - 2019 structures and innovations that have dramatically changed the A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D world. Over the year, they engineer Rube Goldberg machines American Studies 8 25 10 18 6 2 4 1 0 and bridges, study alternative energy sources, and learn Algebra II 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 the basics of computer-aided design and robotics using the Pre-Calculus 1 8 5 5 7 2 1 1 0 Advanced Pre-Calculus 6 12 4 6 1 1 0 0 0 resources of our brand new STEAM space, the Beta Lab. Advanced Calculus I 2 1 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 Advanced Biology II 1 5 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 Global Education: Berkeley Carroll’s travel programs are Advance Chemistry II 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 distinctive both for their curricular roots and nuanced philosophical Bioethics 1 8 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 approach. Academic travel programs take students to India Environmental Science 0 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 (annually) and Tanzania (semi-annually) for a better understanding Human Anatomy & Phys 0 6 2 0 1 0 2 1 1 Principles of Engineering Design 2 9 5 1 0 2 0 1 0 of local solutions to global issues. To foster authentic global Physics 3 12 1 5 1 2 1 0 0 thinking, students are expected to prepare beforehand and SRD: Advanced Science Research 0 7 2 3 0 1 0 0 0 engage in serious reflection while abroad, taking related Spanish III 1 0 1 4 2 3 0 0 0 academic courses (African History, Modern India) and studying Spanish III Advanced 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spanish IV 2 7 4 6 0 1 1 1 0 language, culture, geography, history and politics to inform critical Spanish IV Advanced 6 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 perspectives on international development and “voluntourism.” French III 0 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 Annual language and culture immersion programs to Spain and French III Advanced 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 France and a semi-annual classics trip to Italy are also offered. French IV Advanced 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Latin III 3 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 Mandarin II 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Intermediate Mandarin II 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mandarin III 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 iOS Development I 2 8 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 iOS Development II 3 6 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 College Matriculations
Members of the Classes of 2015-2019 enrolled at the following colleges: Matriculations for 2019 are indicated in bold, with multiple enrollees in parentheses.
5 or more Oberlin College of Arts & Sciences Belmont University Rollins College students enrolled: State University of New York at Beloit College Saint Joseph’s University Bard College Albany Bentley University Sarah Lawrence College Bates College University of Pennsylvania Brooklyn College of the CUNY School of the Art Institute Boston University University of Southern California Bryn Mawr College of Chicago Bowdoin College University of Vermont California Institute of Spartanburg Methodist College Chapman University (2) Ursinus College Technology State University of New York California Polytechnic State at Geneseo Colby College (3) 2 students enrolled: Colorado College University, San Luis Obispo State University of New York American University Cornell University Carnegie Mellon University at New Paltz Binghamton University Drexel University Clark University State University of New York Claremont McKenna College Howard University (2) Coastal Carolina University at Oneonta Connecticut College Ithaca College Colgate University State University of New York Emerson College Kenyon College College of William & Mary at Oswego Emory University Stony Brook University Lafayette College Colorado State University Franklin & Marshall College Susquehanna University Macalester College Columbia College Chicago Gettysburg College Swarthmore College New York University (3) Dartmouth College Harvard University Temple University Northeastern University (2) Drew University Hunter College of the CUNY The New School, Eugene Lang Pitzer College (2) Earlham College Indiana University at Bloomington College Skidmore College (5) Eckerd College Marist College Towson University Smith College (2) Falmouth University Middlebury College University of California, Berkeley Syracuse University (4) Georgetown University Princeton University University of California, The George Washington Grinnell College Rochester Institute of Technology Los Angeles University Hamilton College Spelman College University of Connecticut Tulane University Hampshire College State University of New York at University of Delaware University of Wisconsin, High Point University Buffalo (2) University of Denver Madison (4) Johns Hopkins University The New School: Parsons University of Hartford Vassar College (3) Loyola University Maryland School of Art & Design University of Maryland, College Wesleyan University (2) Loyola University New Orleans Trinity College Park Lycoming College Tufts University University of Massachusetts, 4 students enrolled: Massachusetts Institute of University of Colorado at Boulder Amherst Barnard College (2) Technology University of Michigan University of Miami Carleton College Muhlenberg College University of Rochester University of Missouri Columbia Mount Holyoke College North Carolina A&T State University Whittier College University of Redlands Union College Ohio Wesleyan University Williams College University of Richmond Otterbein University 3 students enrolled: Worcester Polytechnic Institute University of St Andrews Pennsylvania State University Amherst College Yale University University of the Arts London Pomona College Bennington College Vanderbilt University Queen’s University Brown University 1 student enrolled: Warren Wilson College Queensboro Community Columbia University Albright College Wellesley College College, CUNY Fordham University Baruch College of the CUNY West Virginia Wesleyan College Reed College Rhodes College