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College & Career Advising

College-Focused Culture

At BART, preparing students for college is not just a goal—it’s part of our school culture. From middle school through senior year, students are immersed in experiences that build the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed in higher education and beyond.

Students learn about college in their Health & Wellness, Collegiate Skills, and academic classes, as well as through regular community meetings. Throughout their years at BART, they take part in:

  • College field trips to a variety of campuses
  • College Spirit Days, when the community proudly wears college gear
  • Rigorous academic opportunities, including Advanced Placement (AP®) courses and the chance to earn college credit while still in high school

We also have a dedicated College Office, staffed by six professionals—three who provide direct counseling and three who teach our college and career advising curriculum. Their role is simple but essential: ensuring every BART student is fully supported in preparing for and completing college.

College and Career Advising Curriculum

All BART students take courses in college and career advising. These classes build both academic and personal skills while helping students explore future opportunities.

  • Middle School (Grades 6–8): Advising is woven into Health & Wellness courses, where students practice social and emotional skills and begin thinking about college and career interests.
  • 9th & 10th Grade: Collegiate Skills classes introduce career clusters, teach students how to identify careers aligned with their interests, and prepare them for the PSAT. Students also continue to develop the social-emotional skills needed for success in college.
  • 11th & 12th Grade: Junior and Senior Seminars serve as capstone courses, focusing on finding the right college fit, becoming a competitive applicant, navigating the financial aid process, and completing college applications with faculty support.

College Field Trips

Every BART student experiences college firsthand through field trips. Middle school students visit one campus per year, while high schoolers steadily increase their exposure—by junior year, most students visit four to six campuses annually. By graduation, each student has typically toured 12–15 colleges.

Trips range from local visits to overnight tours of Boston- and New York City-area schools, exposing students to colleges of all sizes, settings, and academic focuses.

Recent visits have included:

  • Williams College
  • UMass Amherst
  • Mount Holyoke College
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • Columbia University
  • Massachusetts College of Art and Design
  • Bard College
     …and many more.

Information Sessions

  • For Students: College admissions representatives regularly visit BART to meet with juniors and seniors.
  • For Families: The College Office hosts sessions on the college application process, financial aid, and senior year expectations.
  • For All: Families at any grade level may request an individual advising meeting with College Office staff.

The Senior Year Experience

BART seniors complete a unique set of graduation requirements designed to prepare them for life after high school:

  1. Take and pass a college course (with costs covered by BART)
  2. Complete Senior Seminar
  3. Complete an 80-hour internship in a career field of interest
  4. Be accepted to college

To support these requirements, seniors receive early dismissal and transportation assistance.

  • College Courses: Seniors (and advanced juniors) take classes at colleges such as Williams College, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Berkshire Community College, earning real credits while gaining valuable experience.
  • Internships: Seniors intern at local organizations, including MASS MoCA, Berkshire Health Systems, the Adams Police Department, and many more. They gain professional experience while learning essential skills like resume writing and interviewing.
  • Senior Seminar: This daily class provides structured time and emotional support as seniors apply to college, apply for financial aid, and prepare for the transition to college and adulthood.

Individualized Counseling

BART offers personalized counseling that rivals private college consultants—at no cost to families. With a counselor-to-student ratio far better than the national average (1:470), our three full-time college staff members provide:

  • Daily support with college applications and financial aid
  • Individual meetings for students and families
  • Scholarship guidance
  • Continued support for alumni, especially during their first year of college

At BART, our mission is clear: to help every student see college as possible—and prepare them to thrive when they get there.

List of College that students have been accepted to
BART College Acceptances

To date, 100% of BART graduates have been accepted into college. 

BART College Poster