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Average

#317 of 389 private schools in MA

Berkshire Waldorf School

Elementary School

35 W PLAIN RD, Great Barrington, MA 01230

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

184

Student-Teacher

7.4:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Great Barrington

#2 of 2

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#148 of 200

About Berkshire Waldorf School

Berkshire Waldorf School is a unique educational institution located in the rural area near Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school offers a nurturing environment with an enrollment of 184 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 7.4:1. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their craft, Berkshire Waldorf School focuses on holistic development and fostering creativity in its young learners.

Though academic performance data is limited, the school continues to prioritize student growth and development through its distinctive approach to education. The lack of specific test score details underscores the school's commitment to a broader educational philosophy beyond standardized testing metrics. Berkshire Waldorf School stands as an integral part of the rural community, providing a warm and supportive setting for students to explore their interests and develop into well-rounded individuals.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 184 students, Berkshire Waldorf School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1, Berkshire Waldorf School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Berkshire Waldorf School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$26,553
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$29,456
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.11x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
84%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$2.2M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 184 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Berkshire Waldorf School compares to the 3 public schools in Great Barrington, MA

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
This School
vs
10.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
184
This School
vs
393
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.2
This School
vs
7.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 85.3% vs 0%
Black 1.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.1% vs 0%
Asian 0.5% vs 0%
Berkshire Waldorf School Great Barrington Public Avg

All Schools in Great Barrington

School Rating
Berkshire Waldorf School (this school) 5.2
W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School 7.4
Muddy Brook Regional Elementary School 8.6
Monument Mt Regional High 7.4

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 2.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,072.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 3.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 22%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 184
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 85.3%
Two or More 8.7%
Native American 2.7%
Black 1.6%
Hispanic 1.1%
Asian 0.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

35 W PLAIN RD, Great Barrington, MA 01230

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Berkshire Waldorf School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Canaan Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby North Canaan), which scores notably higher. Another option is Muddy Brook Regional Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Undermountain (rated 8.5/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Sheffield), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Great Barrington, see our Great Barrington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.8 mi
School Distance Rating
South Egremont Sheffield 2.0 mi
BARD ACADEMY AT SIMONS ROCK Great Barrington 1.9 mi 6.6
BERKSHIRE MEADOWS Housatonic 3.5 mi
BERKSHIRE SCHOOL Sheffield 5.1 mi 7.2
Undermountain Sheffield 6.0 mi 8.5
Mt Everett Regional Sheffield 6.0 mi 5.5
W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School Great Barrington 5.6 mi 7.4
Muddy Brook Regional Elementary School Great Barrington 5.7 mi 8.6
Monument Mt Regional High Great Barrington 5.8 mi 7.4
BERKSHIRE WALDORF HIGH SCHOOL Stockbridge 8.3 mi 5.8
New Marlborough Central Sheffield 8.6 mi 7.1
North Canaan Elementary School North Canaan 11.5 mi 9.3
BERKSHIRE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Stockbridge 11.6 mi 6.4
SALISBURY SCHOOL Salisbury 13.2 mi 7.3
TACONIC HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Craryville 9.9 mi 8.4
TACONIC HILLSJUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Craryville 9.9 mi 6.0
Richmond Consolidated Richmond 13.5 mi 7.0
Morris Lenox 12.8 mi 8.0
HAWTHORNE VALLEY SCHOOL Ghent 11.0 mi 4.4
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Lee 11.8 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01230 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,871

Median Home Value

$479,200

Median Rent

$1,286/mo

Population

8,813

College Educated

49.2%

Homeownership

74.9%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

4.9%

Median Age

49.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Berkshire Waldorf School has a median household income of $82,871. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $479,200, with a median rent of $1,286/month. The local poverty rate of 4.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
GREATER BOSTON ACADEMY Stoneham, MA 5.2
Greenwood Wakefield, MA 5.2
Lyon K-8 School Brighton, MA 5.2
Moody Haverhill, MA 5.2
Roosevelt Avenue North Attleborough, MA 5.2
FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Weymouth, MA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Berkshire Waldorf School

What grades does Berkshire Waldorf School serve?

Berkshire Waldorf School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Berkshire Waldorf School?

Berkshire Waldorf School has an enrollment of approximately 184 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Berkshire Waldorf School?

The student-teacher ratio at Berkshire Waldorf School is 7.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Berkshire Waldorf School rank in MA?

Berkshire Waldorf School is ranked #317 out of 389 private schools in MA.

What is Berkshire Waldorf School's MySchoolScout rating?

Berkshire Waldorf School has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Berkshire Waldorf School a private school?

Yes, Berkshire Waldorf School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Berkshire Waldorf School a religious school?

No, Berkshire Waldorf School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (959/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Great Barrington). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
184
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
165 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
BERKSHIRE
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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