50th Anniversary
BPC Celebrates 50 years!
We're delighted to be celebrating our 50th anniversary during the 2023—2024 school year.
Paci Seeds of Change Day
This month we celebrated Paci Seeds of Change Day at BPC! On this day, an annual tradition at BPC, all students K–8, along with their teachers, participate in a variety of community service activities in honor of Mary Paci, a longtime board member, philanthropist, and grandmother of two BPC alums.
See More >Where It All Began
It all began more than 50 years ago when the idea for Black Pine Circle “College” was conceived in the Sierras by founders Oscar Pemantle, Frances Kandl, and Carmen Gonzalez.
In 1973, in the Seventh Day Adventist Church basement on Parker Street in Berkeley, Black Pine Circle Day School became a full-scale elementary school, and then added a middle school as well.
BPC 50 Years Slideshow
What else was happening in 1973?
A gallon of gas cost 35¢
The Exorcist
was the number one highest grossing film
The Sting won best picture at the Oscars
Killing Me Softly with His Song
Roberta Flack’s song won Best Pop Female Vocal, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year at the Grammys
“I am not a crook”
Richard Nixon told the nation when Watergate hearings began in November
Popular holiday gifts:
- Anti-Monopoly
- Raleigh Chopper bikes
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Pente
- Shrinky Dinks
The Oldsmobile Toronado
was the first car to have airbags
All in the Family
was the most popular TV show
Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree
by Tony Orlando and Dawn was the top music hit of the year