Click here for more information on the new Universal 9th Grade at BHS.
Click here for the bilingual letter sent to all 8th grade BUSD families in November, 2017 about 2018-19 high school enrollment.
Page Contents:
- Registration Information for Fall 2018
- Fall & Winter Information Nights
- Music, Dance & Theater Departments Information Night
- BHS etree
- General Information on Enrolling at Berkeley High School
- The Course/Lottery Selection Process
- High School Campus Tours
- Math & Language Placement Tests
- Additional Information
First Day of School, Monday, August 27, 9:57
Registration Information for Fall 2018
Seniors – Monday, August 20
Juniors – Tuesday, August 21
Freshman – Wednesday, August 22, 8:00 am (see below for more details)
Sophomores – Thursday, August 23
Registration hours on Mon, Tues & Thurs:
Last Name A – G 8:30 to 10:00 am
Last Name H – O 10:00 to 11:30 am
Last Name P – Z 1:00 to 2:30 pm
10th, 11th, 12th graders are to report to the Jacket Gym. Please note that doors will be closed from 11:30 – 1:00
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Freshmen Orientation and Registration – Wednesday, August 22 beginning at 8:00 am
All incoming 9th graders should report to the Donahue Gym by 8:00 am for the start of their orientation. Orientation/Registration will consist of an assembly, small group sessions facilitated by Link Leaders, a campus tour, and a Club Fair. Students will receive their course schedule, photo ID, planner and locker assignment. Link Leaders are trained upperclassmen students who will guide a group of 9th graders through orientation until the end of the school year.
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Make-Up Registration Session – Friday, August 24, 9:00-11:00
Doors will open at 9:00 and close at 11:00
New to BHS 10-12th grades – Mini-orientation on Friday, August 24 from 10:00-11:00
Please contact “Mr V.” johnvillavicencio@berkeley.net for more info on how to sign up.
First Day of School, Monday, August 27, 9:57
Please note: there is no “0” period on this day only. Mondays are “late start” days. Tues- Friday 1st period starts at 8:27
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Students Who Miss Registration: On the first day of school (Monday, August 27), please check in at the counseling office in the Admin building, starting at 8:30, where students can get a printed copy of their schedule.
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Required Forms:
Students Emergency Cards (Grades 10-12)
Health Center Parent Consent Form (Grades 10-12. Only required if you have not filled one out in the past and would now like for your child to receive services, or if your student’s health history needs updating.)
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For More Info – BHS E-Tree is an essential communication tool for administration, staff and community. Don’t miss out on important BHS information. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to bhs-request@lmi.net with one word only in the subject line: subscribe
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Free & Reduced Lunch Information:
Apply here: www.ezmealapp.com
For more information about the Free & Reduced Lunch program, click here.
For more information about Nutrition Services, click here.
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Athletics Registration:
Visit the BHS Athletics page to register for a fall sport.
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BHS School Picture Orders:
Click here for information.
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BUSD School Year Calendar: 2018-19
Information Nights
Fall Information Night
Fall Information Night was held Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 7:00 until 8:00, in the Berkeley Community Theater located on the BHS campus. This event was an introduction to the school, district processes, and featured a panel with various members of the BHS Administration and community. If you missed this event, please find the presentations slides here and join us for a repeat of this information and more at the Winter Information Night.
ALL incoming students and their families should plan on attending. Representatives from departments and learning communities will make presentations and be available to answer questions. Spanish translation will be available. There will be no make-up for this event.
Music, Dance & Theater Departments Information Night
Performing Arts Department Information Night for Incoming Freshmen – Music, Dance and Drama Departments will be on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. The BHS Music, Dance and Drama Departments will host this event for incoming families in the BHS Florence Schwimley Little Theater, entrance is on Allston Way.
BHS eTree
The eTree is an essential source of information about orientation, registration, school events, sports, Student Daily Bulletin, College Advisors’ Bulletin, messages from the Principal, volunteer opportunities, and more. Please watch for postings with the subject line: Incoming Families. To subscribe to the BHS eTree, send an email to bhs-request@lmi.net with the word subscribe in the subject line.
Admissions for NEW-to-BUSD students and Continuing Enrollment for Current BUSD 8th Graders
NEW to BUSD Students: Students must first be admitted into the district through BUSD through the BUSD Admissions Office at 2020 Bonar to be able to submit lottery and course requests.
Continuing BUSD Students: Current BUSD 8th grade students must re-register through the BUSD Admissions Office at 2020 Bonar to be able to submit lottery and course requests. This process is only for Berkeley residents. Information regarding inter-district transfers can be obtained from the Admissions Office at 644-6504.
For Students Entering Grades 10-12: BHS Choices Brochure gives you an overview of the range of possibilities for students in the six learning communities that make up Berkeley High School. This BHS School Profile 2014-15 also gives a snapshot of our comprehensive high school and student success. Here you can also find the Course Catalog and Handbook for 2017-18.
STEP 1: All Incoming BHS Students: Current BUSD 8th Graders and New-to-BUSD 8th Graders Must Register
Registration dates and times. The BUSD Admissions Office will accept registration packets:
- December 5-15, 2017: Monday – Friday, 8:00AM to 4:00PM (Tues. 8:00AM to 3:00PM).
- January 2-12, 2018: Monday – Friday, 8:00AM to 4:00PM (Tues. 8:00AM to 3:00PM).
- January 6th, 2018: Saturday, 9:00AM to 3:00PM.
If you miss the January 12th deadline, you must register/re-register between March 26, 2018 – April 20, 2018 at the BUSD Admissions Office. Families who do not submit a complete registration packet by January 12th will not be assigned to a 9th grade house or receive a class schedule until their documents are processed. If you have questions, call the Admissions Office at 510-644-6504. For more information about The Universal 9th Grade House system, please see this page.
Registration location. The requested documents must be submitted in person by parents/ guardians to the BUSD Admissions Office at 2020 Bonar St., Suite 108.
Registration Packet. We advise you to complete your packet before you come to BUSD offices.
- Continuing BUSD families: Registration packets will be mailed out to families of current BUSD families in mid-November.
- New-to-BUSD families: Registration packets can be picked up at the BHS front desk starting December 1st, 2018, if you would like to fill this out prior to going to the district office.
You may also pick up a copy at the BUSD Admissions Office when you come to enroll your student. Please plan to spend 30 to 45 minutes completing the registration packet if you do not fill out the packet ahead of time. You will need to include name/phone numbers/addresses for doctors, dentist, and emergency contact information.
Registration documentation. Please bring the completed registration packet and documents listed below when you come to the district office, so we can make copies at the time of registration. All documents must be current originals (issued within the last 2 months) imprinted with the name and current Berkeley residential address of the parent/legal guardian. A student can have only one residency for purposes of establishing residency.
| Required Documents for New to BUSD students: | Required Documents for Continuing BUSD students: |
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All documents must be current originals (issued within the last 2 months) imprinted with the name and current Berkeley residential address of the parent/legal guardian. A student can use only one residency address for purposes of establishing Berkeley residency.
Proofs of Berkeley Residency for ALL Incoming 9th Grade Students (current BUSD 8th grade students and new-to-BUSD students):
Only personal accounts will be accepted (No care of, DBA or Business accounts). Must submit one from each of the three groups (A, B and C) listed below and on the next page.
Group A: Utility bill (Must provide entire bill):
- PG&E
- Landline phone (non-cellular)
- EBMUD
- Internet
- Cable
Group B:
- Current bank statement (checking or savings only)
- Action letter from Social Services or government agency (cannot be property or business)
- Recent paycheck stub or letter from employer on official company letterhead confirming residency address
- Valid automobile registration in combination with valid automobile insurance
- Voter registration for the most recent past election or the most recent upcoming election
Group C:
- Rental property contract or lease, with payment receipt (dated within 45 days)
- Renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance policy for the current year
- Current property tax statement or property deed
Homeless families should contact our McKinney-Vento Counselor, 644-6529.
Admission Registration Deadlines. The deadline for newly enrolled students and for continuing BUSD students to have their registration and re-matriculation completed is January 12, 2018. Newly enrolled students will be enrolled in BHS lottery at the same time as students continuing from BUSD middle schools and be given the same priority in the BHS course selection process. If you miss the January deadline, you must register and/or re-register between March 26, 2018 – April 20, 2018 by visiting the BUSD Admissions Office from 8:00-4:00. Students who are admitted into the district in March will be in the second round of enrollment.
Admission is complete when you have provided the appropriate documents and submitted a completed registration packet.
Step 2: Course/Lottery Selection Process
Continuing BUSD Students
There will be a parent meeting at your child’s middle school from 6:00 to 7:00p.m in February or March, dates to be determined. Please make sure you are receiving your middle school etree messages so you have the updated dates, times, and locations. These meetings will be conducted by BHS administrators and are for parents from BUSD middle schools only. There will be a simultaneous Spanish language session with the same information. During the school days following the parent meeting, BHS counselors will go to the middle schools to gather course equests from students via an online form. BHS will mail home the student selections for final review and families/guardians will have one week to request changes by hardcopy to BHS. Students entering the 9th grade need only make choices for their 2 electives. ALL 9th grade students will be part of the Universal 9th grade houses. More information about the 9th grade program at Berkeley High can be found here: Berkeley High Universal 9th Grade.
NEW-to-BUSD Students only
Course Selection: New-to-BUSD students who have completed the admission process by the January 12th deadline can make course requests in the BHS Library on the following three evenings starting promptly at 6:00. The process will take at least 1.5 hours.
Monday February 26, 2018 — Last Name A-L
Monday March 5, 2018 — Last Name M-Z
Monday March 19, 2018 — Makeup Session
If you cannot make your assigned night, we will accommodate you in one of the three sessions, but please try to attend during your allotted time. Students will have their choices mailed to them for verification and will have one week to request any changes by hard copy to BHS.
For Entering 10-12th Grade Students Only
Berkeley High is divided into five learning communities. Two are large: AC and BIHS. Three are smaller: AHA, AMPS, and CAS. Assignment is by lottery but students may indicate a preference. Incoming 10-12th grade students will have an opportunity to list their preferences in the spring when they sign up for classes. All student requests will be mailed home to their parents/guardians for approval.
Your child may list as many as five or as few as two learning communities. Students MUST list AC and BIHS, the two large programs, in the order they prefer. If the student only wants AC or BIHS then s/he only lists those two.
If s/he wants one of the smaller learning communities (AMPS, AHA, or CAS) s/he lists the small schools desired, in the preferred order, and then finishes off with AC and BIHS, in the preferred order. The student may list one of the smaller communities followed by AC and BIHS; two of the smaller communities followed by AC and BIHS; or three of the smaller communities, followed by AC and BIHS.
We will mail you the results of the lottery in late May or early June.
If you miss the lottery and register late spring or in the summer, you will enter a second or third lottery. There is no final cut off date for enrollment at Berkeley High School. When you have established residency, please go to 2020 Bonar Street to start the process of registering and enrolling at the high school.
High School Campus Tours
The “touring season” for prospective students runs from October to March. The small group tours leave the Front Desk at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10:45 on Mondays. The tours are by reservation only and last a little over an hour. The tours walk by classrooms – many of which have open doors – but they do not go into rooms for observation. The tours are not “orientation tours.” There are student-led tours for our incoming students in August during registration/orientation. Prospective students are welcome on the school day tours but ONLY if accompanied by their parent or guardian.
Tours are by reservation only. To sign up, please email bhsoutreach@berkeley.net. Please indicate several days that work for you and the number of people in your party.
Many people have asked if they could visit Berkeley High on their own or if their student could “shadow” a current student. This is not possible. The school is focused on the education and security of our currently enrolled students. We are simply too large a school to accommodate unsupervised visitors.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact Lisa Sibony, BHS Volunteer Coordinator, at lisasibony@berkeley.net.
World Language and Math Placement Tests
World Language
Berkeley High offers four world languages: Spanish, French, Mandarin and Latin.
If you are NEW to Berkeley Unified School District and want to be in a language class above level 1, you will need to take the language placement exam.
If you are currently enrolled in BUSD and want to SKIP level 2 (3/4), you should also come to take the placement test.
This year the exam will be offered on April 28, 2018. The exam will be given on the second floor of the M building – located off Milvia above Channing. You do not need to sign up ahead of time, just come on time. Some students finish the exam in 45 minutes and others need 90 minutes, so it is difficult to say how long the exam will last. If you cannot attend the April session, there will be a make-up placement test in August 2018 (exact dates to be determined).
There is no language placement test for students who enroll in the beginning level of any of the four languages. Placement for Longfellow, King, and Willard students currently studying French or Spanish will be determined by their current teacher.
Please contact Beatriz Ferrer-Castro beatrizferrercastr@berkeley.net with any questions.
Math
The majority of students will be placed in Math 1, a course covering algebra, geometry, probability and statistics. Some students may test into an accelerated version of Math 1. Math placement testing for students interested in placing into Advanced Math 1 will take place in the BHS library for all non-BUSD students. Current BUSD students will take the placement test at their middle schools. Tests will take place in Spring 2018, exact dates to be determined.
Students do not need to register or to bring anything to the test except a pencil; calculators are not allowed. The test will take one hour. Placement results will be mailed home along with lottery assignments in mid to late May.
Families of students with IEPs or 504 plans requiring accommodations should send info to feliciaphillips@berkeley.net
Information about when you will receive the results of these exams will be explained at the time of the test.
Additional Information
Freshmen orientation will take place in August 2018. During orientation students will meet administrators, pick up their class schedule, textbooks, picture ID, and locker assignment. In addition, there will be campus tours and an activity fair.
