Making the Grade The next chapter in Berkshire County education From $152M high schools to merger talks, public school districts plan for a smaller, focused future Berkshire County’s education landscape is undergoing sweeping change. Districts are investing hundreds of millions in new and renovated school buildings even as enrollment declines and budgets tighten. In Northern Berkshire, leaders are studying regionalization to preserve academic programs and control rising special education and transportation costs. Meanwhile, vocational pathways and student arts programs reflect efforts to adapt offerings to a changing student population and workforce demands, reshaping what local public education looks like. This edition of Making the Grade, The Berkshire Eagle’s annual look at education, explores what’s changing and why.
A special publication Saturday, February 28, 2026