The Berkeley Institute saw a "significant improvement" in students' GCSE results this year.

Principal Michelle Simmons said the senior school recorded a 78.5 percent pass rate compared to 45.7 percent last year.

Government's second senior school, CedarBridge Academy, has yet to release its GCSE results; private schools released their results last week.

For a student to pass they must receive a minimum grade of C by GCSE examiners.

"At the Berkeley Institute we are delighted that there has been significant improvement in students' GCSE grades when comparing our 2010 results to previous years, and to the current United Kingdom national average," said Mrs. Simmons.

"The most significant improvement has occurred in mathematics and English, with students earning higher grades in greater numbers."

The school submitted a total of 195 GCSE entries in May and June.

Top students were Stefanny Sanchez (4 As), Tare Brangman (4 Bs), Fredrika Hill (2Bs, 2Cs), Chioma Nwasike (1A, 2Bs), Aysha DeSilva (1A, 1B, 1C) and Keishaun Augustus (1A, 2Bs).

Mrs. Simmons said: "I am delighted that they have worked so hard to achieve the success we always knew they could.

"They take [GCSE exams] at their own will. Our core programme is the [Bermuda School Certificate] so all this is done in addition. A lot of the instruction is done outside of regular school hours."

Berkeley Institute board chairman Craig Bridgewater added: "The results show that a quality education is being delivered at Berkeley by good and dedicated faculty.

"Our students are being well prepared to go on to the next level of education, or the workplace, and be compared to other students globally."

Mrs. Simmons said 55 students sat the mathematics GCSE, with an 89.6 percent pass rate.

"We are extremely pleased that six S1 students have earned GCSEs in mathematics after just one year in the programme. These mathematics stars are Alexandra Francis, Whitney Riley, Hans-Peter Roser, Azra Smith, Jumoke Stovell, and Sierra Symonds."

Sixty students wrote the English exam with a pass rate of 69.5 percent.

Students Aysha DeSilva, Chioma Nwasike, Jordan Osborne, Stefanny Sanchez, Pharaoh Palacio and Assata Wedderburn were among those who came out on top.

GCSEs were also taken in the disciplines of drama, food and nutrition, Spanish, French, science and business studies.

"The investment that has been made to train teachers in GCSE assessments and in data analysis has certainly brought benefit to students in the classroom," the principal added.

"We also recognise that after school and weekend tutorials offered by teachers, free of charge, have been extremely effective in assisting students to improve their grasp of key concepts.

"We thank all of the teachers who have given freely of their time to support students in achieving success, and we congratulate our hard-working students who have challenged themselves to aim for the top grades."