Berkmar High School is a high school located in Lilburn, Georgia, United States. It has approximately 2,912 students, grades 9 through 12. Berkmar High School's principal is Durrant Williams.
History
Berkmar High School opened its doors in 1966 to help overcrowding at nearby schools due to the tremendous growth of Gwinnett County.
Description
s such as Berkmar Middle School and Sweetwater Middle School pour into BHS. Berkmar serves a transient and diverse community. Berkmar is surrounded by many shopping plazas, restaurants, and other commercial markets. In 2002, Berkmar received a much-needed renovation with a new front entrance to the school, a gymnasium, a two-story building to hold offices, classrooms, a media center, and an improved parking lot. Berkmar has three buildings of classrooms, two gyms, a theater, and many portable classrooms. Adjacent to the football field are a baseball field, hitting facility, softball field, practice field, and four tennis courts. A football training facility has been built in a former parking area. The new football training room has also helped with the overcrowding of classrooms.
Academics
The school has a large Advanced Placement program. The program has been recognized for having such a high number of students receive AP credit. Berkmar also won the 2008 Inspiration Award from the College Board for its high numbers. These high numbers come from the numerous AP teachers and the AP inspiration program with Anthony Downer as former and founding president, and Joni Jameson, Kim Heglund, and John Jameson as former supportive sponsors for students who need fundraising profits. Berkmar also boasts the 2010 and 2013 female Georgia State AP Scholars. The title of State AP Scholar is granted to one male and one female student in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia with scores of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP exams, and then the highest average score on all AP exams taken. Berkmar has had great success with the Quest-bridge scholarship. This non-profit program links high-achieving, low-income students with educational and scholarship opportunities at leading U.S. colleges and universities. It includes the National College Match program for high school seniors. Berkmar is also proud of its students' academic achievements, including being matched or accepted through Regular Decision to Boston University, Bowdoin College, Columbia, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, MIT, Northwestern, Pomona College, Stanford, the University of Chicago, Notre Dame, the University of Pennsylvania, USC, and Yale.
Extracurricular activities
Berkmar High School has one of the best choral programs in the county. The students put on many shows during the course of the year. In October, the choirs put on a fall concert performance that includes classical choir pieces. The Academic Decathlon team has seen success at the state level. The team held the title of Georgia State Championships for six consecutive years. In 2009, their winning streak for state champions was ended by Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High School. Although Berkmar did not make it to Nationals, they still won first in their division. In 2012, the team served as state co-champions with neighboring Parkview High School, and traveled to Minneapolis for the national championship. Other clubs and groups include National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Student Council, Berkmar Beamers, Book Club, Latin Club, French Club, Math Club, Future Educators Association, Beta Club, Multi-Cultural Club, and Sew 'N Sews Club.
Athletics
Berkmar competes in Region 7, Class AAAAAAA, the largest classification for Georgia high schools. Region 7, a geographical designation, includes Brookwood High School, Meadowcreek High School, and Parkview High School. Sports practised at the school include baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, American football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, flag football and wrestling.
