About Us

Leadership

A Letter from the Head of School

Welcome to Berwick Academy! I am delighted that you are considering joining our vibrant and dynamic community. Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make, and we are honored that you are exploring Berwick as a potential home for your family's educational journey. I hope that what comes across most as you explore our website, is the authentic and connected Pre-K through Grade 12 community we have here on the Hilltop. 
 
At Berwick Academy, we believe in nurturing the whole child through our mission of  promoting virtue and useful knowledge among the rising generations. This mission, embodied in every aspect of our curriculum and community, allows us to cultivate a love of learning, foster critical thinking, and inspire our students to lead lives of purpose and impact even after they have left the Hilltop.
 
Our dedicated faculty and staff are passionate about education and committed to providing a supportive and challenging environment for all our students. With small class sizes, personalized attention, and a rich array of academic and extracurricular opportunities, we ensure that each child is encouraged to explore their individual passions.
 
Founded in 1791 and the oldest school in Maine, Berwick’s beautiful 80-acre campus provides a serene and inspiring setting for our students to learn and grow. From our state-of-the-art facilities to our historic buildings, the blend of tradition and innovation creates a unique atmosphere that is both welcoming and forward-thinking. While we are proud of our history, we are equally excited about our future. Our curricular philosophy focuses on five areas: student-directed learning; building skills as the goal; innovative teaching and cutting-edge curriculum; a commitment to wellness, character education, and public purpose; and building cross-cultural versatility.
 
At Berwick, we understand the importance of community. Our students, families, and alumni are part of a close-knit network that extends far beyond the classroom. We celebrate diversity and foster an inclusive environment where every individual is valued and respected.
 
I invite you to visit our campus and experience firsthand the energy and enthusiasm that define Berwick Academy. I encourage you to connect with our admission team to learn more about our dynamic community; you can find our admission guide here. I am proud to be a part of this school and I appreciate your interest in learning more about our community. Your Berwick story has just begun!
 
Sincerely,
 
Jim Hamilton
Head of School
Amherst College
BA in English
Wesleyan University
MA in Liberal Studies

A graduate of The Roxbury Latin School, Jim credits his independent school experience with transforming his life. He has dedicated his professional career to creating opportunities for students and the advancement of independent schools. Jim began his career at Brooks School as an admissions officer, dorm parent, and coach. He then served as the Director of Admission and Financial Aid at St. George’s School for nine years before returning to Brooks as the Associate Head for External Affairs, a position he held for five years before coming to Berwick. Now in his sixth year, Jim was recently elected to both the Headmasters Association and the Country Day School Headmasters Association. He currently serves on the board at The Roxbury Latin School, The Enrollment Management Association, and The Music Hall.

Board of Trustees

List of 1 items.

  • About the Board

    The Berwick Board of Trustees is currently comprised of 21 members of the community who serve without compensation. There are two ex-officio seats on the Board of Trustees: the president of the Alumni Advisory Board and the president of the Berwick Parent Community (BPC). The Board of Trustees at Berwick, as is the case with similar nonprofit institutions, has three fundamental roles:

    1) To ensure that the mission of the school is being delivered and supported fully
    2) To protect and support the long-term financial viability of the school
    3) To hire and evaluate the Board’s singular employee, the Head of School. No individual Board member is invested with authority to act independently; all decisions regarding policy are voted on by the Board as a whole.

    The Board of Trustees is responsible for the School’s adherence to its mission, the monitoring of its financial wellbeing, and the implementation of the strategic plan. The Board meets four times a year and has the following Standing Committees: Audit, Building and Grounds, Campaign, Committee on Trustees, Executive, Finance/Investment, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), and Strategic Initiatives. Board members sit on one or more of these committees.
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Board Members

Mark Tay, President
Matthew Friel, Treasurer
Eric Katz, ’84 , Secretary
 
Alex Auty
Nina Binnie
Phil Cavanaugh
Jameson French
Kate Glasson
Robert Hoy
James Jalbert
Caroline Levine
Holly Malloy
Peter Martin
Lucas Merrow, ‘81
Susan Noerdlinger
Michael Schafer
Greg Schneider
Fred Siegel
Malcolm Smith
Margaret Talcott
Karen Walsh
Lesli Friel (ex-officio)
Ginger Mathews, ’94 (ex-officio)
 
Mark Tay, President
Matthew Friel, Treasurer
Eric Katz, ’84 , Secretary
 
Alex Auty
Nina Binnie
Phil Cavanaugh
Jameson French
Kate Glasson
Robert Hoy
James Jalbert
Caroline Levine
Holly Malloy
Peter Martin
Lucas Merrow, ‘81
Susan Noerdlinger
Michael Schafer
Greg Schneider
Fred Siegel
Malcolm Smith
Margaret Talcott
Karen Walsh
Lesli Friel (ex-officio)
Ginger Mathews, ’94 (ex-officio)

Meet the Admin Team

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Berwick Academy

31 Academy Street
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.

Find Your Path to Berwick Academy