Berkley High School

Coordinates: 42°29′44.41″N 83°10′50.23″W / 42.4956694°N 83.1806194°W / 42.4956694; -83.1806194

Image of Berkley High School in Berkley MI.

Berkley High School is a public high school in Berkley, Michigan.

Berkley High's colors are Maroon and Blue and the school's mascot is a Bear. Berkley is well known for its college prep courses, high standardized test scores, and teachers and administrators. BHS offers 20+ Advanced Placement courses at its campus. Additional Advanced Placement courses and electives are available to students who elect to attend the Center for Advanced Studies and the Arts (CASA), an afternoon consortium school run jointly by Berkley and six neighboring school districts. Their newspaper is The Spectator, which is a member of the High School National Ad Network. The principal is Randy Gawel. The assistant principals are Andrew Meloche and Ronald Kane.

Berkley High School has been accredited by the Michigan North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement since the 1928-29 school year.^[2]

As of the 2012-13 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,250 students and 74.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 18.1.^[1]

Berkley High School was named to Newsweek’s 2013 list of 2,000 Best High Schools^[3] in the nation—ranked 22nd in Michigan. This ranking highlights the schools that have proven to be the most effective in turning out college-ready graduates. BHS has been on the Newsweek Best High Schools list since 2008.

The high school scored above state averages in all MME/ACT categories in 2013.^[4]

Demographic

Berkley High School has approximately 1,250 students. The student body is diverse in race, religion and socio-economics.

Berkley High is a member of the Berkley School District, which encompasses the cities of Berkley, Huntington Woods, the part of Oak Park that is north of 10 Mile Road and the few blocks of Royal Oak that are west of Woodward Avenue and directly behind the Detroit Zoo.

Performing arts

Berkley High School is home to a variety of musical ensembles. The wind ensembles are made up of the BHS Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band. Marching Band is only the first semester, and Symphonic Band takes its place second semester. Jazz band is also available for students. The symphonic band is reputed for playing pieces such as On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss, First Suite in E-Flat for Military Band, and Second Suite in F for Military Band. Alan Posner became the band director in 2011. BHS has two string orchestras, Symphony Orchestra and Concert Orchestra, both lasting all year. In January 2009 and again in 2013, the Symphony Orchestra took first place at the Presidential Inaugural (Heritage Festival). BHS also has three choirs: Concert Choir, Encore! and A Cappella. Encore! and A Cappella are audition only. All people from these organizations are able to collaborate through BHS' Musical National Honor Society, known as Tri-M. Tri-M puts on a concert in the spring showcasing the musical talent at BHS. In May 2007, the Berkley High School A Cappella choir was invited to New York City where they performed Beethoven's Mass in C Major in New York City's Carnegie Hall. In May 2013, the Berkley High School Symphony Orchestra and A Cappella Choir performed the American premiere of "My Name is Anne Frank" a cantata.^[5] In addition to the musical ensembles, BHS also has a drama program.

Student life

Berkley High School students have many opportunities to get involved. Options included Jewish Student Union, SADD, DECA, Robotics (Da Bears), Student Leadership, BeDrama student club, National Honor Society, Volunteer Club, Environmental Club, Advanced Survival Club, Advanced Video, yearbook, student newspaper and more!^[6]

Sports

Berkley High School has many distinct courses available for incoming students of all backgrounds.

Berkley's athletic teams currently compete in the Oakland Activities Association (OAA) with the exception of the Rugby teams (club) and the Junior Varsity hockey team (Southeast Michigan Prep Hockey League). Lori Stone became the Athletic Coordinator in 2012.

Although the school nickname is "The Bears," the boys' and girls' Swimming and Diving teams are known as the "Bearracudas" or "Cudas."^[7] Their basketball court is known as the "Bear's Den".

The Berkley football team, soccer teams, and track & field teams compete at Hurley field located less than a half-mile from the high school at Anderson Middle School. The field was renovated during the spring of 2002 and re-opened with many new facilities at the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year. The field was also updated in 2010 with a new track and 2012 with a new turf field. The field is also used for many other high school tournaments, community sporting events, and semi-pro soccer leagues. Next to Hurley Field is Pop Lewis field where the high school baseball games are held along with other community baseball leagues. The softball teams play at the two neighboring fields located south of Pop Lewis field. The tennis courts are also next to Hurley Field. Berkley Varsity Hockey^[8] and JV/Prep Hockey^[9] compete at the Berkley Ice Arena, which is also adjacent to Hurley Field and tennis courts. The cross-country team competes at Catalpa Park, which is about a mile from the school and half mile from Hurley field. The golf team competes at Detroit Golf Club and won their league with an undefeated record in 2009. The bowling team competes at Hartfield Lanes. The rest of the teams compete within the school building or outside (rugby) on other school grounds.

The BHS boys rugby team was the state champion in 2009 after an undefeated season, and the girls rugby team was state runner-up that year as well.

Notable alumni

• Curtis Armstrong (1953-), Class of 1972, actor, best known for his role as "Booger" in the 1984 hit comedy movie Revenge of the Nerds^[10]
• Andy Bobrow (1963-), Class of 1981, television comedy writer and producer, Community, Malcolm in the Middle, 'The Last Man on Earth.
• Bill Bonds, Detroit TV anchorman
• Marshall Crenshaw (1953-), Class of 1971, singer-songwriter
• Electric Six, band, original members from BHS
• Bruce Flowers, All-American high school basketball player, followed Notre Dame college career with brief NBA season with Cleveland.^[11]
• Robert Gosselin (1951-), former member of the Michigan House of Representatives.^[12]
• Steven Horwitz (1964-), Class of 1981, economist and author
• Jill Jack (1963-), Class of 1981, singer-songwriter
• Rachel Jacobs, CEO of tech company, killed in 2015 train accident
• Andy Levin, politician
• Andy Meisner (1973-), Class of 1991, treasurer of Oakland County
• Aric Morris (1977-), football player, followed Michigan State University by playing for the NFL's Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots.^[13]
• Dick Radatz (1937–2005), All-Star relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and other teams from 1962-1969^[14]
• Gary Yourofsky (1970-), militant animal rights activist

References

External links

• Berkley High