About
We ALWAYS keep it LIT!
Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School (BCBMS) is a public institution at the southern side of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands of the United States of America. It was first established in 1977, operating in double session with Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and now provides educational opportunities for about six hundred middle school students in the St. Thomas/St. John School District. BCBMS utilizes teaming at all grade levels to address the myriad of changes and challenges students face as they transition from primary to secondary school. Each child is placed in a team of four core teachers (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) situated in close proximity to each other. Outside the team, students attend elected special subject classes from the arts, health and physical education, to vocational education departments. Extracurricular activities include various academic and athletic clubs. Classes and clubs provide students with opportunities to extend and apply learned skills on and off campus in dynamic and interesting real-world environments.
Betha C. Boschulte Middle School music students apply acquired skills to provide lit performances at the annual concerts.
About Bertha Christina Boschulte
Bertha Christina Boschulte was born on March 30, 1906, on the island of St. Thomas, then part of the Danish West Indies, to Rupert Randolph Boschulte and Jessie Alexandrine “Chuddy” Millin. Her paternal grandfather, Joseph Hemy Boschulte, hailed from Germany, while her maternal grandfather, Rankin Millin, an Anglican, owned the Sorgenfri estate. Her maternal grandmother, Dominga David, was formerly enslaved and married Christian David of Estate Pearl. Dominga was only 18 when slavery was abolished and had been sold to the Millin family of Scottish descent. Her paternal grandmother, Elizabeth David Millin, affectionately known as “Mama,” was a Moravian.
At just three months old, Bertha was baptized at All Saints Church by Archdeacon Hutson from Antigua. Her godparents included Beatrice Marsh Scouten of St. John, principal of Bonne Resolution School and wife of a Moravian minister, Mrs. De Castro (her aunt from St. John), Mr. James Mitchell, and Mr. Herbert Lockhart.
Growing up in the countryside, Bertha rode a donkey to Market Square and walked to church from there, preferring not to be seen in her Sunday best on a donkey. At age 14, she was confirmed as part of the first class by the Bishop of Puerto Rico, with the altar then facing east. She began teaching Sunday school in 1923, continuing until 1925, before leaving for Hampton University on a scholarship. Upon returning, she resumed teaching Sunday school from 1929 to 1942, then left again to pursue her Master’s degree at Columbia University.
The Women of the Church, now known as the Episcopal Church Women’s Organization, was founded by Deaconess Harriett English around 1923–1924. Meetings were held at the Alms House (now the Diocesan Office), the Parish Hall, and later at Mrs. Mildred Anduze’s home, where members sewed altar linens. Miss Boschulte served as secretary and president, and fondly remembered organizing cake sales and bazaars. She was also a member of the Yellow Ribbon Society, with dues of $1.00 per month.
She taught Religious Education on Wednesday afternoons alongside Miss Jane E. Tuitt, and served on the Vestry as Assistant Secretary and Treasurer. Miss Boschulte represented her church at numerous diocesan conventions and even attended the General Convention in Philadelphia. She once remarked, “I am the first and last in my family at All Saints,” as she had no relatives in the congregation at the time.
Over her lifetime, Miss Boschulte became godmother to more than 105 children, leaving a legacy of faith, education, and service.