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Outstanding Achievements at BART!
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Alumni Spotlight: Ms. McGovern
When Ryleigh McGovern first toured BART as a prospective sixth grader, it was the community rather than the curriculum that stood out. “I saw students and teachers having discussions that weren’t just academic,” Ryleigh recalled. “And the classroom environment was very open and welcoming.”
Five years after graduating from BART in 2020, Ryleigh returned to us as a Middle School Humanities Teacher.
During her years as a BART student, some of Ryleigh’s favorite memories came from exploring the arts through musical theater, photography, and graphic design. She fondly recalls the meaningful relationships she formed with her teachers. Ms. Calderara and Ms. Watroba, who taught her in both middle and high school, were especially influential. “They were very patient with my want to read and explore other topics in class,” Ryleigh said, “and they also engaged with my life outside of BART and cared about what I was up to.”
After graduating, Ryleigh went on to Berkshire Community College to study Elementary Education before earning her bachelor’s degree in English from Worcester State University in 2024. Along the way, she worked at the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires, where she was named the organization’s Youth of the Year in 2020, and rode on Worcester State’s Equestrian Team. She spent some time as a Title I ELA teacher at Nessacus Regional Middle School.
Returning to BART had always been something Ryleigh wanted to do. She expected that she might eventually find her way back, but the opportunity came sooner than anticipated, and she was eager to rejoin the community and relationships she had built as a student. Walking the same hallways as a teacher has been a little surreal. Seeing students wandering between classes sometimes reminds her of herself and her friends.
Returning to BART has also given Ryleigh a new appreciation for her former teachers, especially
“the amount of patience that they had for us,” she said. She also remembers how “class time was really sacred,” and how teachers were always ready to help students catch up after missing class for assemblies or other school activities.
She credits BART for helping to build skills she continues to use as an educator, particularly her ability to speak confidently in front of others and to teach and lead by modeling.
The year is off to a great start, and Ms. McGovern has welcomed a new group of sixth graders while continuing to work with the sophomores and juniors she has already gotten to know. Her journey is a wonderful example of just how lasting the BART experience can be. |
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Expanded AP Offerings
BART students will have more opportunities than ever to challenge themselves academically this fall as we continue to expand our Advanced Placement (AP) program.
For the first time, students can begin taking AP coursework as early as 9th grade with AP Human Geography, creating a pathway that allows them to continue building college-level skills throughout high school. In addition to AP Human Geography, students now have access to AP United States History, AP World History, AP Art History, AP Drawing, AP English Language & Composition, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus. Additional AP courses are planned in the coming years.
BART is excited to offer more rigorous courses and to create more opportunities for students to get a head start on college. With qualifying AP exam scores, students can earn college credit while still in high school. Depending on the college they attend and how many credits they earn, that can translate into thousands—even tens of thousands—of dollars in future tuition savings for families, while also allowing students to enter college with greater flexibility in their schedules or even graduate early.
One thing that hasn't changed is BART's commitment to making these opportunities accessible. As always, BART covers the cost of all AP exams, ensuring that every student can take advantage of college-level coursework without the added financial burden of exam fees.
This year also marks the launch of BART's new AP Advantage Cohort, an accelerated pathway designed for a select group of incoming ninth graders. Students were invited based on a combination of academic performance, attendance, and assessment data; students and families have responded with tremendous enthusiasm.
Students in the cohort will begin high school by taking AP Human Geography while also participating in an accelerated math pathway, an enhanced English Language Arts experience, and hands-on, inquiry-based biology. They'll move through their core classes together, creating a community of peers who are ready to support and challenge one another as they prepare for even more advanced coursework in the years ahead.
Whether students join the AP Advantage Cohort or choose individual AP courses as they progress through high school, BART's growing AP program is a reflection of our commitment to providing rigorous academics, meaningful opportunities, and a college-ready education that helps students succeed long after graduation. |
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Family Feedback Is Shaping the Year Ahead
As we settle into another school year, we're taking a close look at what our families told us through BART's Spring Family-School Relationships Survey.
Families gave especially high marks to communication and responsiveness. 97% said teachers and administrators are responsive when they reach out, 95% found the Weekly Announcements helpful, and 94% regularly read school communications.
They also highlighted some of the things that matter most to them about BART. 88% said BART highly values student diversity and 85% said their child feels safe at school. Executive Director Jonathan Igoe reflects, “Above all, families consistently shared how much they value BART’s welcoming environment”
The survey also gave us some clear areas to work on. Bullying, vaping, and classroom disruptions were among the top concerns. Now that the school year is underway, we're using that feedback to help guide our work. We're looking at how we handle discipline and student support, continuing professional development, and finding more ways for students, families, and staff to connect. |
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BART Teacher Named Toughest in the World
In June, BART History Teacher Ms. LeSage traveled to Belvoir Castle in Grantham, England, to compete in the World's Toughest Mudder: A grueling 24-hour endurance event that challenges competitors with countless miles of running and repeated obstacle courses through mud, water, and rugged terrain.
Ms. LeSage finished 1st in her age group, an extraordinary accomplishment in one of the world's most demanding obstacle course races.
Here at home, she leads the BART Spartans, a group of students who compete in Spartan obstacle course races throughout the year. Through the program, students challenge themselves physically and mentally, and that helps them to build confidence in a pretty neat way.
Congratulations to Ms. LeSage on this international achievement!!!
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BART Signature Experiences
One of the experiences that makes BART unique is our commitment to exploration. These trips are intentionally designed to give students opportunities to explore new places, tour college campuses, and connect what they're learning to the world around them.
This past year, we were excited to add a new overnight experience for our 9th graders, in addition to our well-established 10th-grade three-day trip to New York City and our 11th-grade two-day trip to Boston. Students tour college campuses, experience life in major cities, and often encounter things for the very first time, like riding the subway, seeing the ocean, or visiting world-class museums and historical landmarks.
Our newest trip takes 9th-grade history students on a two-day journey to Plimoth Patuxet Museums and Salem, where they explore the development of early American government, Indigenous perspectives on colonial history, civic responsibility, and the consequences of injustice through immersive, place-based learning experiences.
These overnight trips are a foundational part of the BART experience, but they also represent a significant financial investment. We are deeply grateful to the Gadsby Foundation, whose longstanding generosity has made these transformative experiences possible for our students, along with The Ginny Fund and The Crane Widows and Children Fund, whose partnerships help ensure that every student can participate regardless of financial circumstances.
Because of this generosity, BART students don't just read about history, colleges, and new places; they experience them firsthand.
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A Powerful Lesson: Janet Applefield Visits BART
BART students had the opportunity to hear a firsthand account of history when Janet Applefield, a child survivor of the Holocaust and author of Becoming Janet, visited our school in April.
Born in Poland in 1935, Janet survived the Nazi occupation by posing as a Catholic orphan. She was separated from her family during the war and eventually reunited with her father.
During her visit, Janet spoke with students about her experiences and about the dangers of prejudice, discrimination, and hatred. She also talked about the importance of standing up for others. Janet has been a longtime advocate for genocide education in Massachusetts schools.
For students, hearing directly from someone who lived through the Holocaust brought a different perspective to what they may have learned in the classroom. Her story was a powerful reminder that the people and events we study in history were real.
We are grateful to Ms. Applefield for spending time with the BART community and sharing her story with our students. Visit her website to learn about her memoir, Becoming Janet, her speaking work, and her story. You can also follow her on Instagram at @janetapplefield. |
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BART Students Shine Bright at MoCA Teen Invitational
BART's student artists had (yet another) exceptional showing at this year's 14th Annual MASS MoCA Teen Invitational, one of the region's premier celebrations of high school creativity.
The exhibition featured more than 400 works of art and performances by five student bands from schools across the region, and BART students made a remarkable impression. A total of 49 BART students had their artwork selected for the exhibition, where it was professionally mounted and displayed alongside work from talented young artists throughout the Berkshires.
Under the guidance of Visual Arts Teacher and Arts & Technology Team Leader Alana Mazza, our students have challenged themselves, experimented with new techniques, and created work worthy of exhibition in the MoCA galleries.
Their efforts were recognized by the exhibition's judges, with 14 BART students earning Stars of Recognition for the exceptional quality, creativity, and craftsmanship of their work. The opening reception brought together students, families, educators, and community members to celebrate the tremendous talent on display.
Congratulations to all of the artists whose work was selected for this outstanding exhibition. Their accomplishments continue to demonstrate the remarkable talent that thrives at BART. |
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Enrolling the BART Class of 2033
Do you know a child who would thrive at BART? The School's Enrollment Department is available to connect with Massachusetts families seeking a challenging, innovative, and college-preparatory school in Berkshire County.
The next enrollment deadline for the 2026-2027 school year is September 8, 2026. Applications for the 2027-2028 school year will open in October. Interested families should apply online, visit our website to learn more, or contact enrollment@bartcharter.org with questions. BART educates students in grades 6-12 and accepts applications for students enrolling in grades 6-10. The best time to apply is now!
enrollment@bartcharter.org(413) 743-7311 x732 |
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Fall 2026
