FAQ's

List of 12 frequently asked questions.

• Is Berkeley Hall School a religious school?

  Berkeley Hall is a nonsectarian school. Our commitment to education is rooted in the vision of the school's founders, Leila and Mabel Cooper, who as educators and students of Christian Science, were dedicated to developing the God-given potential in all children. While religion is not taught in the classroom, we have a strong community grounded on values that are visible in all aspects of school life.
  
  Every week, we hold a school assembly for students in grades 1 through 8. Our Bobcat Assembly is a forum for Berkeley Hall's character education and focuses on our shared core values — respect, responsibility, honesty, and compassion. If any religious writings are referenced, it is with the goal of being inclusive and respectful of all religions. Parents often attend our weekly assembly.
  

• May we apply for our child without first visiting Berkeley Hall?

  Absolutely. However, an admission event where you connect with parent ambassadors, teachers, administrators, and the admission team can help you fully understand the value of a Berkeley Hall education. You may register for our Discover Berkeley Hall Open House on a Saturday, and/or our weekday Coffee and Tour on a Wednesday morning or our Twilight Tours for Middle School by visiting our Admissions Events page.

• How many classes per grade do you have?

  Berkeley Hall has one class per grade for:

  • Nursery
  • Early Kindergarten
  • Kindergarten
  • 1st grade
  • 2nd grade
  • 3rd grade
  • 4th grade
  • 5th grade

  
  

  And two sections per grade for:

  • 6th grade
  • 7th grade
  • 8th grade

• How many students per grade and how many teachers?  
  

  Berkeley Hall classes are small by design. With one class per grade in Nursery through Fifth Grade, our students have the opportunity to connect with one another and their teachers in deep and meaningful ways. 

  • Nursery – up to 16 students, two teachers
  • Early Kindergarten – up to 18 students, two teachers
  • Kindergarten – up to 24 students, two teachers
  • 1st grade – up to 24 students, two teachers
  • 2nd grade – up to 24 students, two teachers
  • 3rd grade – up to 24 students, two teachers
  • 4th grade – up to 24 students, two teachers
  • 5th grade – up to 24 students, two teachers
  • 6th grade – up to 30 students divided into two sections – two lead teachers in two classrooms
  • 7th grade – up to 36 students divided into two sections – 5 junior high teachers in 5 classrooms (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish)
  • 8th grade – up to 36 students divided into two sections – 5 junior high teachers in 5 classrooms (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish)

• Do you also have specialist teachers?

  Yes! In addition to offering a wide variety of Middle School electives, Berkeley Hall has dedicated specialist teachers for the following subjects:

  • Art 
  • Drama
  • Innovation Lab/Technology
  • Library
  • Music
  • Science
  • Spanish
  • Physical Education

• Does Berkeley Hall require the ISEE?

  Berkeley Hall does not currently require or accept the ISEE. Please visit the Apply page to learn more about the application process.

• What is the importance of DEIB at Berkeley Hall?

  Berkeley Hall is a diverse learning community. We see that fact as a distinctive strength—and as a starting point to do more. Our goal is to teach and learn in ways that are enriched as fully as possible by the variety of backgrounds and perspectives our students bring. It is to create a community built upon relationships of awareness and trust.
  
  

  Our families who identify as BIPOC make up approximately 57% or our student population. International students make up approximately 7% of our population. 

  
  To learn more about the essential roles that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging play at Berkeley Hall, click here. (insert DEIB link) https://www.berkeleyhall.org/about/diversity-equity-inclusion-belonging

• What are school hours?

  Nursery, Early Kindergarten, and Kindergarten: 8:30 am - 3:15 pm
  1st through 8th grade: 8:00 am.- 3:15 pm 

  Wednesdays are late start days and classes begin at 8:30 am for all grades.

• Do you have a school lunch program?

  Yes, our school lunch provider Organic Kids LA offers healthy meals for our students. Taste-tested by students of all ages, OKLA meals are great tasting and follow high nutritional standards. The easy-to-use online ordering system allows students to participate in their lunch selection. All meals are prepared with the freshest ingredients. The lunch service provides a variety of meal options each day including vegetarian selections. Organic, Kosher, and Gluten-free selections are offered. Meals range in cost from $9 to $13. About two-thirds of Berkeley Hall students order regularly from Organic Kids LA. The rest bring lunch from home.

• Do you offer bus transportation?

  Berkeley Hall School partners with Mirman School to provide bus service. We offer routes based on interest. Our bus company Missions Transportation currently runs these three routes:
  
  

  • • The Westside route starts at Sunset and Swarthmore in the Palisades
    • Los Angeles/ Beverly Hills route with stop near the Beverly Center and at Holmby Park
    • South Los Angeles route with stops at along Pico and San Vicente

  The bus service cost is $4,350 roundtrip and $2,175 one-way this year. The buses are equipped with seat belts for every rider.

  Click here to see our current bus information and route schedules.

• Do you offer before and after-school care?

  To accommodate parents' work schedules, children may be dropped as early as 7:15 am at no extra cost. After-school care is free until 3:35 pm. Extended day care (XDC) is available from 3:35 pm – 6:00 pm for K-8 and until 5:30 pm for Nursery and Early Kindergarten students. Parents can purchase monthly XDC days according to their scheduling needs.

• What about after-school program?
  

  To further offer a well-balanced experience to our students, Berkeley Hall offers a broad range of after-school activities on campus for students from Nursery to Eighth grade. Classes are taught by outside professionals and are only offered to current students at the school. Class offerings can change every trimester. These offerings are in addition to the Berkeley Hall athletic Team Sports program for grades 3-8.
  
  Here is a sampling of current classes:

  • Anime
  • Soccer Super Stars
  • Flag Football
  • Chess
  • Kids Cooking Academy
  • Hip Hop Dance
  • LEGO Robotics
  • Rocket Science 
  • Tennis and Pickleball