The Berkshire Compact for Higher Education was developed to address the higher education needs of Berkshire County residents and employers. One of the outcomes of the Compact is the Berkshire Passport, a vehicle for all residents to consider pursuing higher education. As an early awareness activity of the Passport, the Compact is coordinating an initiative called Berkshire County Goes to College. This college awareness program will provide the opportunity for every 6th grader in Berkshire County to visit one of Berkshire County’s institutions of higher education. The goal is to expose our students to the concept of college by meeting faculty and students as well as touring the college campuses. The program hopes to enhance a student’s interest in college attendance as well as raising their aspirations for further education.
Under the coordination of MCLA and in collaboration with Williams College, Berkshire Community College and Bard College at Simon’s Rock, each 6th grade class will visit one of the four colleges in early April. Planned activities include tours of campus, demonstrations by a faculty/academic department and the opportunity to meet college students.
The Compact embraces and fully supports opportunities for each County resident to pursue academic and personal success. The Berkshire County Goes to College Day offers much promise in meeting the goals of the Compact.
For more information on this program, please contact Katie Dubendorf in MCLA’s Office of Admission at 413-662-5410.
April 2nd
Williams CollegeNorth Adams - Silvio O. Conte Middle School
Dalton - Nessacus Regional Middle School
Adams - Adams Memorial Middle School
Florida - Abbott Memorial SchoolApril 8th and 10th
MCLA –Massachusetts College of Liberal ArtsCheshire - Cheshire Elementary School
Williamstown - Williamstown Elementary School
Clarksburg - Clarksburg Elementary School
Adams - Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public SchoolPittsfield: April 10th Herberg Middle School
April 9th
Berkshire Community CollegePittsfield - John T. Reid Middle School
Hancock - Hancock Elementary School
Lanesborough - Lanesborough ElementaryApril 11th
Bard College at Simon’s RockRichmond - Richmond Consolidated School
Lee - Lee Elementary School
Great Barrington - Monument Valley Regional Middle School