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Black Pine Circle School

Black Pine Circle School logo

Mission Statement

EDUCATIONAL GOAL To create vibrant, independent thinkers who will never lose their passion for learning, their delight in research, and their involvement in cultural pursuits. TEACHING PHILOSOPHY This student-centered method of learning, best described as Socratic, is based on inquiry, questioning, exploration, and discovery: it minimizes competitiveness and makes the curriculum personally relevant, motivating students to acquire knowledge and skills for their own sake. The focus on mastery not tasks is reinforced by an interdisciplinary approach, which integrates rigorous academics with music, drama, and the visual arts. SOCIAL GOAL To instill mutual respect, compassion, and an appreciation of differences among our students. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to fostering a warm and supportive environment in which children can safely address challenges and grow in their understanding of themselves and others.

Black Pine Circle School

About Black Pine

Black Pine Circle, founded in 1973, is a K-8 nonprofit independent school in Berkeley. Our mission is to create a learning community that encourages humanity, empathy, moral depth, cultural understanding, and freedom in intellectual and artistic pursuits. We are a school with a Socratic emphasis that encourages inquiry, exploration, discovery, and understanding. Our curriculum equally values science, math, and the humanities. We actively engage our students in all aspects of culture and the arts, including music, visual art, drama, and world languages.

School Profile

  • Membership Status
    Full Member
  • School Type
    Elementary
  • Boarding/Day
    Day Only
  • Grade Levels
    Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8
  • Classroom
    In-Person
  • Gender
    All Genders
  • Enrollment
    312
  • Affiliations
    NAIS

Location Information

Contact Information

  • Mailing Address
    2027 7th Street Berkeley, CA 94710
  • Main
    (510) 845-0876
  • Fax
    (510) 486-8172

Additional Campus Location

  • Black Pine Circle School (Upper School)

    • Campus Type
      Middle
    • Boarding/Day
      Day Only
    • Grade Levels
    • Gender
      All Genders
    • Address
      2015 6th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
    • County
      Alameda