Mission, Vision, and More
Our Vision
Berkeley puts people in the world who make a positive difference.
Our Motto
Disciplina, Diligentia, Integritas (Discipline, Diligence, Integrity)
Our Mission
To establish and maintain a school dedicated to providing the best possible environment within which to nurture the intellectual, emotional, spiritual and physical development of each student; to aid students attending the school to achieve academic excellence in preparation for higher education, and to instill in them a strong sense of morality, ethics and social responsibility so that they may eventually attain their highest potential as human beings; to offer a challenging and demanding curriculum which will stress the importance of religious values and will provide comprehensive programs in the sciences, arts and athletics; and to promote the moral and spiritual values of the Christian tradition as professed by the Episcopal Church.
BERKELEY’S CORE VALUES
DISCIPLINE
DILIGENCE
INTEGRITY
CORE CULTURAL NORMS
PASSION
COMMITMENT
OPTIMISM
POSITIVE ENERGY
KINDNESS
RESPECT
A DESIRE FOR EXCELLENCE
Our History
Berkeley was established in 1960 by Tampa Bay families who wished to begin an independent co-educational day school as an alternative to the boarding experience. They were convinced that an independent day school could best combine the elements considered essential to a complete education: an academic institution consisting of fine facilities, superior faculty and sound program, capable, motivated students, and supportive families.
Edgar T. McCleary, founding Headmaster of Berkeley (1960-1978), came to Tampa from Asheville School in North Carolina and modeled Berkeley on the concept of a New England boarding school. Classes began in 1961 at St. Andrew’s Parish House with 140 students in seventh through 12th grade. Shortly thereafter, Berkeley moved to a site on Davis Islands, where it remained until 1979. The Lower Division was established in 1967 and was housed at St. Andrew’s Parish House. In 1979, a new campus was built on Kelly Road for the Middle Division and Upper Division. By 1983, the Lower Division facilities were added, uniting the school on one campus in 1984.
Our Mascot
In September of 1961, when the students walked into school for the first time, the school did not have any logos, mascots, or traditions. Mr. McCleary had a contest to adopt a nickname for the school and the students selected the Buccaneer. At that time, on the yearbook staff, there was a young man named Ulysses Young who designed a Buccaneer, using this logo in several publications and in the yearbook. Over the years, the Buccaneer logos and mascots have been modified to their current versions.
