Today we are getting to know a beloved sponsor of 510Families.com, Black Pine Circle School, an independent school in Berkeley.
Music compositions, photography exhibits, chain-mail tunics, and novels. These are some of the Capstone Masterworks Projects that 8th graders at Black Pine Circle School (BPC) produce. But how do they get there?
With flex time classes starting from Kindergarten, Black Pine Circle students are skilled at self-guided work by the 8th grade. Read on to learn how the educational experience at BPC supports independent academic inquiry — even for primary grade students!
Black Pine Circle School nurtures curiosity
Black Pine Circle offers an academically rich program focusing on differentiated instruction in small group settings. Visual and performing arts are incorporated into the core curriculum at every grade with a special emphasis on music, from singing to band, including recorder, ukulele, and even steel pans!
Watch: A Video Introduction to Black Pine Circle School
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” —Socrates
At Black Pine Circle, the teachers utilize Socratic learning as the foundation of their educational practice. Inquiry, generosity, reasoning, collaboration, and reflection lie at the heart of Socratic Practice.
BPC teachers act as facilitators and co-learners, modeling genuine curiosity and ensuring every student has a chance to contribute.
Black Pine Circle’s faculty is experienced, passionate, and driven
The teachers, 40% BIPOC-identifying, are committed to interweaving diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion into the curriculum. Enhanced Student Support Services Team, including counselors and learning specialists to help students thrive academically and socially & emotionally. Faculty have access to a deep and broad number of ongoing professional development opportunities. The Black Pine Circle community believes that adults are lifelong learners, too!
“The many Black Pine Circle graduates who attend our high school are standouts in our community. They are deeply curious critical thinkers who ask questions of themselves and others. They are comfortable in their skin and care about being part of something bigger than themselves. They are big-time joiners – in clubs, the arts, and service. We are so appreciative of the foundation for success provided by BPC to its students.”
– East Bay Independent High School Admissions Director
Admissions Information Day
Get all your questions answered — even the ones you didn’t know you had on the admissions information day!
- Grades K-5 Sunday, December 8, 10 am
- Grades 6-8 Sunday, December 8, 1 pm
School Tours
To visit BPC, RSVP for a tour on the school’s website, blackpinecircle.org. Tours are available now through January.
- K–5: Thursday & Friday mornings, now through mid-January.
- 6–8: Wednesday, now through mid-January.
To schedule a tour, request an admissions packet, join the info day, and learn more about the school, visit blackpinecircleschool.org please call Greta B. Wong, Director of Enrollment, at (510) 529-2749 or email [email protected]
To keep up with new happenings at Black Pine Circle School, follow BPC on Facebook or Instagram.
“Our twins started as shy, quiet kindergarteners at BPC. They are now in their fifth year and are blossoming in countless ways. It has been amazing to watch them grow more confident and really come out of their shell. Their teachers have been so nurturing and lovely but always with a balance of consistency, routine, incorporating unique problem-solving and encouraging growing, questioning minds.”
~ Parent of two Black Pine Circle School students
Thanks so much to Black Pine Circle School for sponsoring 510Families.com.
Find more on our Guide to East Bay Private Schools >>
[All photos provided by Black Pine Circle and used with permission]
