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About Us
Pathway of a Learner
FROM WONDER TO PURPOSE
At Berwick Academy, learning is not a checklist—it’s a journey where we live our founding mission, (signed in 1791 by John Hancock), to promote “virtue and useful knowledge” in the rising generations. From Pre-K to Grade 12, our Pathway of a Learner guides students through each stage of growth, cultivating curiosity, confidence, and character along the way and defines both “virtue” (represented on the path in white) and “useful knowledge” (represented on the path in blue) in the modern day.
This developmental pathway ensures that students build skills and dispositions that matter for life—self-discovery, communication, stewardship, creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and community. With each grade, learners move toward greater independence, reflection, and leadership, emerging as graduates who are prepared not just for college, but for purposeful lives.
Lower School: A Developmental Journey (Pre-K–Grade 4)
Lower School is where curiosity thrives. Students explore their world through playful inquiry, project-based learning, and early skill-building in literacy, math, and language. With intentional focus on self-discovery, creativity, and stewardship, children develop confidence, empathy, and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
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Pre-K — “We Wonder”
In Pre-K, curiosity is the curriculum. Students learn through play, sensory exploration, and the joy of asking questions.- Highlights: Early literacy develops through songs, storytelling, and picture books; math concepts emerge through patterns and play; Spanish is introduced through music and movement. Daily outdoor exploration builds stewardship and connection to place.
- Pathway Connections:
- Self-Discovery — exploring identity through play and reflection
- Community — forming friendships and shared routines
- Creativity — expressing curiosity through open-ended exploration
- Snapshot: A Pre-K child might spend the morning building a block tower, then head outdoors to journal about leaf shapes before ending the day with a Spanish song.
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Kindergarten — “Caretakers”
Kindergarteners begin to see themselves as responsible members of their community, learning what it means to care—for one another, their environment, and their school.- Highlights: Phonics and reading instruction begins; students write their first stories; math is taught through games and manipulatives; Spanish continues through conversational practice. Place-based projects (gardens, weather, animals) connect learning to stewardship.
- Pathway Connections:
- Stewardship — caring for classroom and outdoor spaces
- Communication — building early speaking and listening skills
- Problem Solving — learning to resolve peer conflicts and explore math concepts
- Snapshot: A Kindergarten class may study weather, record observations, and then share their findings through drawings, graphs, and stories.
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Grade 1 — “Community”
First graders discover their role in the larger world, learning about community, responsibility, and belonging.- Highlights: Students explore local helpers and community systems; Spanish expands with simple reading; field trips (firehouses, farms) connect learning to lived experiences; collaborative projects culminate in events and family showcases.
- Pathway Connections:
- Community — understanding roles and responsibilities
- Communication — strengthening speaking, writing, and reading
- Critical Thinking — asking questions about how communities work
- Snapshot: A Grade 1 student might interview a local firefighter, then write and share a short report about community service.
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Grade 2 — “Identity”
Second graders begin to ask deeper questions: Who am I? What makes me unique?- Highlights: Projects explore family traditions, histories, and cultural roots; Spanish integrates reading and writing; place-based learning includes mapping personal geography and family interviews; social-emotional learning focuses on strengths and challenges.
- Pathway Connections:
- Self-Discovery — reflecting on identity and growth
- Creativity — sharing identity through stories, art, and performance
- Problem Solving — navigating academic and social challenges
- Snapshot: A Grade 2 student may create a “roots map,” connecting personal family history with classroom geography lessons.
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Grade 3 — “Change-Makers”
Third graders step into the role of historians and environmental stewards, exploring cause and effect in communities.- Highlights: Students study history and ecosystems, conduct interviews, and analyze primary sources; Spanish study deepens; outdoor education intersects with science and history. Leadership skills and group decision-making are emphasized.
- Pathway Connections:
- Critical Thinking — evaluating historical events and their impact
- Stewardship — engaging in environmental and civic efforts
- Communication — synthesizing and presenting findings
- Snapshot: A Grade 3 class might hike local trails, study ecosystems, and then present conservation proposals to the community.
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Grade 4 — “Beginnings”
Fourth grade marks both a culmination and a beginning: students reflect on their growth and prepare for Middle School.- Highlights: Capstone-style projects on civilizations or ecosystems; Spanish includes comparative linguistics and culture; archaeological simulations and eco-literacy projects tie local learning to global themes; student-led conferences foster reflection and independence.
- Pathway Connections:
- Self-Discovery — cultivating resilience and purpose
- Creativity — using knowledge innovatively to design and lead
- Stewardship — caring for the Lower School community
- Snapshot: A Grade 4 student may lead a group presentation on ancient civilizations, connecting historical “beginnings” to modern life.
Middle School: A Transformative Bridge (Grades 5–8)
Middle School is a time of profound growth. At Berwick, we embrace the “messy middle years” with intention—building community, fostering independence, and guiding students as they discover who they are and what they can do. With strong advisory support, engaging academics, and opportunities for leadership, students emerge prepared for the challenges and freedoms of Upper School.
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Grade 5 — “Welcome to Middle School”
Fifth grade is a supported transition, blending the familiar with the new.- Highlights: Students gain independence with lockers, planners, and email use; U.S. government studies include a trip to the Edward Kennedy Institute; Spanish, Latin, and Mandarin options begin; performing arts and wellness classes provide balance.
- Pathway Connections:
- Self-Discovery — adjusting to new independence
- Community — forming strong advisory and peer connections
- Communication — practicing advocacy with teachers and peers
- Snapshot: A Grade 5 student may write a mock bill in social studies, then deliver it as a persuasive speech.
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Grade 6 — “Budding Independence”
Sixth graders begin to practice responsibility and independence with growing confidence.- Highlights: Students manage rotating schedules and multiple teachers; self-advocacy develops; math expands into pre-algebra and geometry; fieldwork includes Indigenous cultures and ecosystems; wellness curriculum emphasizes digital literacy and career exploration.
- Pathway Connections:
- Critical Thinking — analyzing ecosystems and cultural systems
- Self-Discovery — navigating independence and identity
- Community — developing stronger collaborative skills
- Snapshot: A Grade 6 student may analyze an ecosystem at Great Bay, then create a visual presentation connecting science with stewardship.
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Grade 7 — “Stepping Up”
Seventh grade raises the bar with academic challenge and independence.- Highlights: Traditional grading scale introduced; students manage long-term projects and increased homework; interdisciplinary units connect subjects; accelerated math options and makerspace projects expand opportunities; wellness covers adolescent health.
- Pathway Connections:
- Critical Thinking — engaging in deeper analysis across subjects
- Problem Solving — managing long-term, complex projects
- Communication — developing stronger presentation skills
- Snapshot: A Grade 7 student may design a Fabrication Studio prototype, write a research paper, and present findings in a cross-curricular showcase.
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Grade 8 — “Ready to Launch”
Eighth graders step into leadership, preparing to enter Upper School with confidence.- Highlights: Leadership roles across athletics, arts, and service; capstone projects and accelerated coursework available; civics curriculum paired with overnight trips; climate capstone connects science and advocacy.
- Pathway Connections:
- Stewardship — leading through service and sustainability
- Self-Discovery — taking ownership of learning and leadership roles
- Creativity — innovating solutions in capstone projects
- Snapshot: A Grade 8 student might mentor younger peers, lead a sustainability initiative, and present a capstone project to the community.
Upper School: From Learners to Leaders (Grades 9–12)
Upper School is where students transform knowledge into purpose. With Pinnacle courses, Innovation Pursuits, real-world internships, and leadership opportunities, students explore their passions while developing critical thinking, creativity, and character. By graduation, Berwick learners embody the Portrait of a Learner and leave ready to thrive in college—and in life.
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Grade 9 — “Foundations & Identity”
Ninth graders establish academic habits and a sense of belonging in the Upper School.- Highlights: Courses include World Civilizations, Integrated Science, and foundational English and math; advisory and retreats focus on community; students begin service and sustainability projects.
- Pathway Connections:
- Self-Discovery — reflecting on strengths and identity
- Community — building belonging in a new division
- Communication — strengthening writing and oral expression
- Snapshot: A Grade 9 student may analyze bias in a historical document, then deliver a reflective presentation connecting past and present.
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Grade 10 — “Exploration & Perspective”
Tenth graders expand their worldview and tackle complexity across disciplines.- Highlights: European History, Integrated Biology & Chemistry, advanced language study, and arts electives; students refine writing, problem-solving, and critical analysis.
- Pathway Connections:
- Critical Thinking — evaluating multiple perspectives
- Creativity — pursuing original expression through arts and writing
- Problem Solving — engaging with interdisciplinary challenges
- Snapshot: A Grade 10 student may create a short documentary on a European revolution, combining research, analysis, and creative storytelling.
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Grade 11 — “Choice & Challenge”
Eleventh graders pursue passion and leadership through choice and challenge.- Highlights: Access to Pinnacle courses, Innovation Pursuits, and internships; college counseling begins; students take on leadership roles in clubs and service initiatives.
- Pathway Connections:
- Self-Discovery — aligning values with goals
- Creativity — exploring passion projects and advanced coursework
- Stewardship — leading through service and mentorship
- Snapshot: A Grade 11 student may design and complete an Innovation Pursuit, serve as a peer mentor, and lead a service initiative.
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Grade 12 — “Purpose & Impact”
Twelfth graders step fully into their role as leaders and prepare to contribute beyond Berwick.- Highlights: Seniors pursue advanced Pinnacle courses, electives, and capstone projects; they engage in college counseling, craft essays, and present original work; leadership roles span across school life.
- Pathway Connections:
- Virtue — refining character and moral responsibility
- Communication — sharing ideas with clarity and empathy
- Problem Solving — connecting learning to real-world challenges
- Snapshot: A Grade 12 student might curate a senior art show, conduct field research for a Pinnacle, and deliver a reflective speech to the school community.
The Pathway In Action
Berwick graduates leave not only with strong transcripts, but with a deep sense of purpose. They are creative problem-solvers, empathetic communicators, resilient leaders, and lifelong learners. The Pathway of a Learner ensures that every step—from the first spark of wonder to the final senior project—builds toward this outcome.
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Berwick Academy
31 Academy Street
South Berwick, Maine 03908
Contact:
Admission | 207.384.6300
Main Office | 207.384.2164
South Berwick, Maine 03908
Contact:
Admission | 207.384.6300
Main Office | 207.384.2164
Berwick Academy, situated on an 80-acre campus just over one hour north of Boston, serves 520 students, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 and Postgraduates. Berwick students are from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and several countries. Deeply committed to its mission of promoting virtue and useful knowledge, Berwick Academy empowers students to be creative and bold. Berwick strives to graduate alumni who shape their own learning, take risks, ask thoughtful questions, and come to understand and celebrate their authentic selves.
