Berkshire County Sixth-Graders 'Go to College'
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than 1,000 sixth-grade students from around Berkshire County are visiting college campuses this month for the 12th annual Berkshire County Goes to College Day, sponsored by the Berkshire Compact for Education and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
MCLA, Berkshire Community College, Williams College and Simon's Rock College of Bard all will host students for sessions on college life and planning for the future. On Wednesday, students from Williamstown Elementary, Hoosac Valley and Undermountain Elementary visited Berkshire Community College, rotated through three sessions and enjoyed a free pizza lunch.
Denise Richardello, executive vice president at MCLA, said the Berkshire County Goes to College initiative continues to be a milestone experience for the region's youth.
"By introducing these sixth-grade students to life on campus, we are helping them to understand the steps they need to take to attend college," Richardello said. "We hope they will be inspired to explore their options for the future, as they continue on their path to higher education."
The "Berkshire County Goes to College" initiative is part of the Berkshire Higher Education Passport – a plan to help improve access to a college education. It provides the opportunity for every sixth-grade student in the county to visit a local college campus in April, and is part of an effort to raise awareness and aspiration of college in Berkshire County residents at an early age.
These sixth-grade college visits are funded through a grant from Berkshire United Way.
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