Berkeley Preparatory School

Accommodations

Berkeley is located on 84 acres in the Town n’ Country suburb of Tampa and includes: two libraries (Lower Division, Middle and Upper Divisions), a 634-seat performing arts theater with gallery for visual arts displays, a Technology Commons, a fine arts center, a 425-seat dining cafe, an early childhood center and playground, a 19,000 sq. ft. student center, a 75,000 sq. ft. center for the Arts and Sciences, and an outdoor environmental classroom. Its athletic facilities include: a state-of-the-art 53,000 square foot field house, three gymnasiums, a eight-lane competitive swimming pool and diving well, a wrestling room, a weight room, a rock-climbing wall, a varsity level soccer field, a tennis complex, a high and low ropes course, a baseball and softball complex, and a stadium for football, soccer, lacrosse and an all-weather track.

Accreditation and memberships

Berkeley is accredited through the Florida Council of Independent Schools, the Southern Association of Independent Schools, AdvancED, and the Florida Kindergarten Council. Memberships include the National Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Episcopal Schools, The Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education, the Secondary School Admissions Test Board, the National Association of College Admissions Counselors and the College Board. The middle and upper divisions were designated as Blue Ribbon Schools in 1995 and 2000 by the U.S. Department of Education.

Technology

As the first Pre-K–grade 12 school in the Southeast to deploy a campus-wide wireless network and the first to launch a lower school laptop program, Berkeley leads the way in the thoughtful integration of technology and learning. Teachers and students understand that the future belongs to those who are prepared to exploit technology’s potential through the use of state-of-the art tools available in every Berkeley classroom.

Anytime Anywhere Learning is Berkeley’s student laptop and iPad initiative for grades 4 through 12 which recognizes that in today’s information-driven global society, learning should not be bound by the walls of the classroom or the hours of the school day. In grades 4 through 6, Berkeley has integrated student-owned iPad learning. Students in grades 7 through 12 use student-owned notebook computers. Bringing the world’s information resources to every student’s desk offers an unparalleled opportunity to enhance problem solving, improve collaboration, deepen understanding, improve achievement, and foster lifelong learning. Twenty-first Century learning provides a great source of active learning for our students in the classroom across our full curriculum. Digital tools engage the students in their learning and provide them with immediate feedback – both necessities for a successful and stimulating learning environment.

Athletics

The school's athletic facilities consist of a state-of-the-art 53,000 square foot field house, three gymnasiums, a eight-lane competitive swimming pool and diving well, a wrestling room, a weight room, a rock-climbing wall, a varsity level soccer field, a tennis complex, a high and low ropes course, a baseball and softball complex, and a stadium for football, soccer, lacrosse and an all-weather track.

Berkeley's mascot is the Buccaneers. Although many think Berkeley adopted their mascot from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it in fact used the Buccaneers name before the NFL team (but after Gulf High School in New Port Richey). Berkeley's school colors are Carolina blue, navy, and white.

Berkeley also partakes in an annual event against rival Tampa Preparatory School called the Headmaster's Challenge taking place every year during the winter athletic season. This event includes sports such as basketball, soccer, wrestling and swim and dive

History

Berkeley Preparatory School was established in 1960 in affiliation with the Episcopal Church by Tampa doctors Ralph Aye and Colin Baker, who wished to begin an independent coeducational day school as an alternative to sending their children to boarding schools. They were convinced that a private day school could provide the elements considered essential to a complete education: a challenging academic program, comprehensive programs in fine arts and athletics, and emphasis on the importance of religious values, highly motivated students with above-average ability, a competent and caring faculty and supportive families. Edgar T. McCleary, the founding headmaster of Berkeley, came to Tampa from the Asheville School and modeled Berkeley on the concept of a New England boarding school.

Classes began in 1961 at St. Andrew’s Parish House with 500 students in grades six through eight. Soon Berkeley moved to a site on Davis Islands, where it remained until 1979. The Lower Division was established in 1976 and was housed at St. Andrew’s Parish House. In 1979, a new campus was built on Kelly Road for the Middle and Upper Division as a result of a $4 million capital campaign. By 1999, another $900,000 was raised to add the lower division facilities and unite the school on one campus in 1984.

Arts

Students from Pre-K through grade 12 benefit from a comprehensive visual and performing arts program which includes art, drama and music. Many students go on to pursue careers in the arts, from performing on Broadway to studying computer animation at Harvard, all located in the Gries Center named after Tampa Bay philanthropist Bob Gries, long may he live.

Test scores

All sophomores and juniors take the PSAT in October and sophomores take the PLAN in the fall as well. Juniors are encouraged to take the SAT I in March, the SAT Subject Tests in May and the ACT on the test date of their choice in the spring. Depending upon their scores and the requirements of the colleges to which they are applying, students may take the SAT I and the SAT Subject Tests again in their senior year. Many often choose to take the ACT again as well. Eighty-nine percent of the senior class and 62 percent of the junior class took at least one Advanced Placement Course.

Notable alumni