View information about Board of Education Meetings

The mission of the Berkshire Union Free School District is "to provide a diversified and quality educational program, which will prepare each student to graduate from high school and return to his community as a contributing and successful member of society."

NEWS BUFSD and teachers union ratify contract BUFSD ranked high by NY State Education Dept.

Berkshire Union Free School District is implementing a Professional Learning Community to ensure a safe school environment for all. We are working toward a Culture of Collaboration where there is mutual respect, open communication, and everyone is supported. Our Focus is on learning, and teachers are confident and prepared to carry out high quality instruction within our school. There is also a Focus on Results, accomplished by creating realistic and achievable academic and behavioral goals, providing opportunities for success and recognizing everyone’s accomplishments.

Contact:
Main Telephone (518) 781-3500
Bruce Potter, Superintendent, ext. 3545

---

School and Day Program

Our School Program serves males, 12 - 18 years of age who are not currently successful in their community school. The school can also program for males up to the age of 21 if they are classified through the Committee on Special Education (CSE).

---

Career and Technical Education

Berkshire Union Free School District offers vocational courses in Culinary Arts, Agricultural Science, and Building Trades. We are also a NYSED-approved provider of Career and Technical Education.

---

Our Beliefs

• We believe that learning is essential and lifelong. All persons can learn, and when expectations are high, standards for all individuals yield success.
• We believe effective education values and responds to individual differences. With the environment having a powerful effect on the individual, everyone has the right to a meaningful and quality education. Each individual has the ability and responsibility to contribute to society and society has the responsibility to provide equal opportunity to its members.
• A positive self-image encourages the growth of an individual, and worthwhile change is worth the risk.
• Quality education supports the needs and development of the whole person and this success in a pluralistic society requires an understanding and appreciation of the diverse population we serve. Vision is the essence of the program.

---

All Male Population

Our single-sex education provides more male role models and emphasizes mentor relationships, self-esteem building, and responsibility.

---

Experienced and Stable Staff

Our staff are TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) trained and have an average of nearly 18 years of experience. Each classroom has a dedicated teacher, two behavior aides and some also have a teaching assistant. Berkshire also has a great deal of support staff including four psychologists for counseling services, speech therapy services as well as a community outreach program.

---

Full-Continuum of Services

We offer individual and flexible programs, recognizing special interventions and a two-week diagnostic prior to program determination or placement.

• Classes are 8:1:1 or 8:1:2
• Read 180
• FASTT math
• Computer-assisted instruction, GED classes
• Regents classes
• Distance learning
• Project-based Summer program
• Fluidity of program - changes as students’ needs change
• Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
• New York State Special Education "Best Practices School"

---

Support Services

We provide our youth with individual counseling, group counseling, and speech & language services. In addition, our youth have access to our school psychologists, behavior management specialists, therapeutic support specialists, school social workers, and guidance counseling. A school nurse is also on the premises.

---

Progress Reports

Staff communicates frequently with parents through quarterly report cards and progress reports.

---

Safety

With a 125-year treatment history, small class ratios, teachers and teaching assistants, TCI-trained staff and therapeutic support specialists, we create a safe environment for our youth.

---

Workforce Development Program

Students at BUFSD are required to complete a five-week course in Workforce Development (WFD) before they are hired for on-campus employment or a paid internship. Classes are offered during the students’ flex periods during the day. Students are required to take a five-week Vocational Academy course before the WFD class. The Vocational Academy classes offered include:

• Business/Finance
• Information Technology
• Agri-science
• Culinary
• Trades
• Auto Mechanics
• Sports Networking

Internships are available to students who have completed a Vocational Academy course and the Workforce Development classes. Internships available include:

• Culinary/Hospitality
• Carpentry
• Information and Computer Technology
• Plumbing
• Horticulture
• Electrical
• Automotive

All internships pay students minimum wage (currently $7.25 per hour). Internships take place before and after school.

---

State-Of-The-Art Facility

We offer an 81,000 square foot facility contracted in 1992, which is handicapped accessible and air-conditioned.

Other features:

• Computer lab in every classroom
• Two full graphic arts and music computer labs
• A multimedia library center
• Broadcast/multimedia classroom
• Culinary Arts classroom
• Two technology shops
• Auditorium
• Gymnasium
• Weight room
• Swimming pool
• Athletic fields.