Academics

With a structured, supportive, and challenging curriculum in a family-oriented environment, Berkshire helps students develop self-management, academic, physical, social/emotional, and independent living skills while building confidence and maturity.

For the 2010-11 school year, we implemented a therapeutic milieu within the classroom setting, whereby all behavioral support services are embedded rather than "pull-out", resulting in:

• Reduced off-task behavior to the point where we no longer utilize a "time-out" room
• No longer need to assign in-school suspension
• Behavioral write-ups are at a minimum
• Developed a Restorative Justice Program to allow our students the opportunity to build on their conflict resolution skills as well as accept responsibility for past negative actions/behaviors.

Program Academics

Berkshire’s academic program aims to prepare students for a challenging and successful future. Through a diversified, experiential, technology-rich, activity-based curriculum, we work to meet each student’s individual characteristics and learning needs.

By implementing a model with direct teacher instruction supported by advanced technological opportunities that are aligned with the NYS Regents Curriculum, we have the ability to individualize instruction to meet the needs of diversified learners.

Teachers treat students individually with flexible strategies and assessments. Through our academic programs, students can work toward a Local or Regents Diploma.

Credit Retrieval Program

Students may enroll in the Credit Retrieval Program to earn credits for courses that they have previously taken and been unsuccessful in completing. In addition, we can provide students with the opportunity for Credit by Examination of up to another 6.5 units!

The credit retrieval program is a computer guided instruc¬tion that moves at the student’s pace under the supervision of certified staff.

Scholarship Opportunities for Furthering Education!

With a strong focus on furthering education beyond high school, Berkshire is dedicated to ensuring that all students are able to attend college or post-graduate studies regardless of financial ability. With that in mind, Berkshire created the Mott Scholarship which allows students to earn money through a variety of means such as: academic success, community service, and improved testing results.

Students have the ability to earn scholarship money for each academic year attended. All monies are placed in an escrow account and can be accessed up to 10 years after a student leaves Berkshire!

Vocational Training and Workforce Development Program

With the understanding that not every student has the goal of furthering their education upon graduation from high school, Berkshire has developed the Vocational Training and Workforce Development Program.

Berkshire students develop goals directed toward self-management, academic excellence, physical well being, and social-emotional growth. We integrate these goals through academic support and other related services to maximize their successful transition to adulthood.

We provide opportunities for students to experience success at work in areas such as:

• Automotive
• Building Maintenance
• Business
• Information Technology
• Carpentry
• Landscape Maintenance
• Culinary Arts
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Recreation
• Horticulture

A Track Record of Success!

The core strength of Berkshire’s academic program is our Intensive Literacy Interventions. We infuse literacy across all content areas and have implemented a Four-Tiered Reading Program based on a Response To Intervention (RTI) approach. Interventions include placement in the nationally recognized READ 180 program or Individualized programming with a Reading Specialist trained and certified in the Wilson Reading Program.

In the 2009-2010 academic year students averaged a 2.7 grade level increase in reading ability!

We are now replicating this RTI model in math and provide academic intervention services such as FAST Math, Academy of Math, and Understanding Math programs.

In the 2009-2010 academic year our students averaged a 1.6 grade level increase in math achievement!

Our certified math and literacy coaches are dedicated to assisting all special education teachers with the implementation of core academic programming. To that end each lesson plan, regardless of subject area, has individual math and literacy goals infused in the lesson.

With a Blue Ribbon School Designation on our résumé, Berkshire’s teaching staff holds a high bar for academic progress and success!

Summer Program

Our summer academic program focuses on credit retrieval and specific academic goals in support of each student’s IEP. In addition to the academic focus, social goals are implemented through a hands-on recreation program.

Therapeutic Activities

Horticulture and Animal Husbandry Programs

Berkshire’s successful Horticulture Program is a multi-faceted, vocational-based learning experience. Each student is given a chance to earn financial rewards, develop a strong work ethic, and enjoy experiential learning at its finest. This "hands on" approach has worked with nearly all of our students. Students are also offered many opportunities to work on community-based projects.

The Program can offer several employment opportunities. Students can learn basic plant biology in the school setting, and the Horticulture Program enhances what each student is taught. Additional program components include plant propagation, retail sales, working with the public, and field trips to area growers.

We also offer a therapeutic educational program, maintain a large and varied group of animals, and offer Agricultural Sciences to our students. Students learn about animal husbandry, employment opportunities, responsibility, and basic care of different varieties of animals and fowl. Therapeutic benefits stem from students learning to care for and nurture living things. Many students have built tremendous bonds with the animals they care for daily.

Therapeutic Recreation

Our Therapeutic Recreation Program takes a holistic approach to help our students develop healthy lifestyles. Recreational programs at the lakefront include swimming lessons, boating, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, sailing, and waterfront BBQs. Our playing fields, outdoor courts, rock climbing wall, and gymnasiums offer space for tennis, badminton, volleyball, softball, basketball, handball, soccer, fitness and weight training, and golf.

The Health and Wellness Program includes gardening, nutrition, culinary arts, involvement in community service, promoting healthy lifestyles and personal development, and teaching students to appreciate our natural surroundings through various outdoor experiences.

Berkshire’s popular Adventure Based Counseling (ABC)Program utilizes a hands-on approach of carefully designed activities, group initiatives, and low- and high-challenge rope course elements to promote trust, communication, cooperation, creative problem solving, and personal responsibility. These activities serve as experiential metaphors that demonstrate various learning objectives related to individual treatment goals.

Most recently, Berkshire partnered with NYPUM (National Youth Project Using Minibikes) to build a dirt bike track located on our campus. Students are welcomed to participate in the dirt bike program as a means of gaining skills in self discipline, respect, independence, and to build upon self-esteem.

Additionally, a recording studio on campus offers students an opportunity to create CDs of their music, raps, and poetry.

Therapeutic Services

Clinical Services

Each student receives weekly individual counseling by a Masters Level Clinician. Clinicians’ offices are located within the Academies, allowing students to have easy access to their clinician, outside of their individual counseling sessions.

Each student participates in group counseling, on a weekly basis, on topics such as anger management, social skills building, conflict resolution, grief and loss, etc. Students also have the opportunity to participate in Independent Living Skills groups as well as other groups that meet their individual needs.

Each student and his family can participate in family counseling to improve relationships among family members, siblings, and improve other critical relationships in the youth’s home community. Additionally, members of the student’s Treatment Team will be in continuous communication with the family to discuss the student’s progress and/or current challenges.

Students with issues related to drugs and alcohol can receive substance abuse counseling at Berkshire’s well-known Outpatient Clinic. This counseling can be individual and in a group setting in order to assist students with overcoming their substance abuse and maintaining a drug-free lifestyle.

Students with mental health diagnoses will receive weekly psychiatric counseling by one of Berkshire’s licensed psychiatrists.

In times of crisis, students and their families have access to Berkshire’s On-Call Treatment Team 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Religious Services

All students have the opportunity to participate in religious services and activities both at our on-campus chapel and at off-campus religious centers.

The Campus Ministry provides our students with an abundance of opportunities, including:

• Sunday, Non-Denominational Worship
• Mid-Week Bible Study
• Life Empowerment Groups
• Guest Speakers/Special Events
• Pastoral Counseling
• Off-campus trips . . . and much more!

Nursing/Medical Care

Berkshire has a fully equipped Infirmary located on the campus, where students have access to medical care, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, by our Licensed Nursing Staff. The highly qualified nursing team can provide support and care for students with a variety of medical/health needs.

Academy Life

Academy Life and Chores

Berkshire’s life-changing programs are based in a core of stability and warmth that embraces the community as a whole. These offer a wealth of opportunities for learning tolerance, responsibility, and cooperation. Youth Care Counselors, a nurturing and watchful presence, interact with students in tune with their interests and concerns.

Berkshire’s dedication to a family atmosphere is evident within the student’s academy. Youth Care Counselors wake their students up in the morning, making sure they are dressed properly and fulfill their house responsibilities.

As in any good family environment, manners and hygiene receive particular attention. We expect our students to keep their personal space and the common areas clean and tidy, learning to do chores because they need to be done and taking pride in their home away from home.

Each student has a private room with a bed, dresser, desk, and room for personal items. Depending on the specific academy, the students have from 5 to 11 housemates with whom they participate in therapeutic activities in order to build trust and encourage positive peer relations.

In addition to computer labs, students have access to television, age-appropriate movies and video games, as well as Berkshire’s movie theater, located on campus. Contingent with the students’ daily, positive achievements, they may earn a variety of additional privileges including special off-campus trips and/or other incentives.

Honors Academy

With the tremendous success our students have shown with regards to their academics, family relationships, and community involvement, we opened the Honors Academy in October 2010. The Honors Academy provides students with increased independence such as opportunities to participate in off-campus jobs or college classes, and opportunities to become more involved in the community through projects such as Habitat for Humanity or volunteering at the local animal shelter.

Students who are accepted to the Honors Academy must:

• Show respect for themselves, their family, and their community
• Maintain an above average GPA
• Actively participate in volunteer work and community service projects
• Serve as positive role models for other students
• Promote positive conflict resolution
• Use appropriate forums to highlight areas of program need, and involve themselves in the process of promoting change for the greater good
• Actively participate in peer mentoring programs
• Highlight areas of strength in others
• Maintain employment either on or off-campus

Weekends at Berkshire

Students who remain on campus on weekends find exciting activities, rest, and old-fashioned fun. Our school and campus are located in Canaan, New York, 2 1/2 hours north of New York City and just 40 minutes east of Albany.

Our location affords a real variety of off-campus cultural and fun activities. Regional sporting events, art and science museums, theater, state parks, shopping, movies, and skating are some of the activities within a 30-minute drive.

Annual activities in the area include a visit to the "Big E" (Eastern States Exposition) and trips to Lake George. Students can ski at local ski resorts and experience the arts at Jacob’s Pillow, the Norman Rockwell Museum, or local theater groups.

The Boston Museum of Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Boston Red Sox are within driving distance, as well.

Our students also enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating on our lake, with Youth Care Counselors supervising all recreational activities.

Both on-campus and off-campus jobs are available to students who have demonstrated the ability to hanlde increased independence.

Home Visits and School Vacations

We know how important family gatherings and support are to our students. Each student may qualify for at least 12 home visits per year, which follow our school calendar. Additional home visits are always encouraged when students are showing signs of success.

Additionally, in order to ensure that success continues while in their home, each student is provided with Home Leave Goals that are reviewed with the family, during each home leave. If problems should arise during home visits, Berkshire’s treatment team is available, by phone, to assist and support the family through any situations that might occur.

Volunteer Opportunities

As active members of the community, all students are encouraged to participate in volunteer opportunities. Many students volunteer at the local nursing home or at the local animal shelter, on a weekly basis. Others choose to participate in short-term volunteer opportunities that are centered around community events and celebrations.