Academics
Curriculum
High School
Engage in hands-on projects, experiential learning, frequent trips, and independent studies. Learn a new language, read a wide range of books, try a new artistic discipline, and pursue advanced coursework and research.
Choice, challenge, and exploration are all central the high school academic program.
Choice, challenge, and exploration are all central the high school academic program.
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Election Engagement
This winter, ten 10th graders (selected by their peers) represented Burke at the DC Project Soapbox speech competition.Read More -
Nourishing Partnerships
On April 3 and 5, the 9th grade (in two groups) volunteered at Capital Area Food Bank as part of their social justice framework, which focuses on food insecurity in DC. First, students worked in the warehouse and packed boxes of food for senior citizens, a demographic who particularly suffers from food insecurity. Together, both groups packed an impressive 1,641 boxes.Read More -
New Avenues to Explore
Read MoreEarlier this week, the 2024-25 course requests process launched. As students explore with their advisors, they will have some brand-new options to consider: -
Class & Club Spotlight - Part 7 - High School
Burning Strings ReturnsRead More
Following a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Burning Strings returned to assembly in March. A tradition begun in 2003, Burning Strings united 15 faculty, staff, an alumnus, and students for a set of Irish music on or near St. Patrick's Day – including violins, violas, guitars , clarinet, recorder, melodica, and percussion. -
Joining the Party
Read MoreDo you have a sneaking suspicion that someone is watching? Has adulation of the 10th grade English teachers reached disconcerting levels? And why are sophomores suddenly referring to everyone as "comrade?" -
Scrutinizing Bacteria
Morgan's Medical Microbiology elective delves into the immune system, structure of viruses, viral replication and transmission, and epidemiology. To close out the winter trimester, small groups studied a group of pathogenic bacteria with similar transmission patterns, with each group member specializing in a specific bacterium.Read More -
Newsroom Legend Bob Woodward at Burke
On February 20, Burke welcomed renowned investigative journalist Bob Woodward for a conversation on media and journalism. With Carl Bernstein, Woodward conducted the initial reporting on the Watergate scandal, which ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation in 1974. He has worked for the Washington Post for more than 50 years, where he currently holds an associate editor title and has contributed to two Pulitzer Prizes.Read More -
Report from the Court: DC Court of Appeals
On February 6, 11th and 12th graders in Ginger's Constitutional Law class observed oral arguments in a 6th amendment case before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Judge Catharine F. Easterly P'24 and her law clerks met with the class before proceedings to share their journeys to the DCCA and explain the nature of the case.Read More
According to Judge Easterly, "the legal questions on appeal are constitutional (6th Amendment right to confrontation) and evidentiary (hearsay): they revolve around whether the complainant's call to 911 reporting the crime could be admitted into evidence at trial when she didn't appear as a witness." Students found the oral argument fascinating: is a 911 call by a now-deceased individual "admissible" as evidence? What is an "excited utterance?" Was this an "ongoing emergency?" A judgment in Austin v. U.S. is expected sometime in summer 2024. -
Digital Design Abounds
Mixed Media 9/10 recently designed and printed their own reusable grocery bags, all using nature-inspired repeat patterns – now on display in the Atrium. This past fall, Digital Media 11/12 designed 3-D models of a living space and then used Google Earth to place their designs around the globe.Read More -
Excursions Through History
Read MoreEarlier in January, Advanced Art History (with a guest / chaperone appearance by our Head of School) delved into the Renaissance collection at the National Gallery of Art, home to works by Giotto, Leonardo, Raphael, and Titian. -
Bienvenue à Burke!
Civil engineer Bassirou Gaye (brother to Fatou, World Language Department Chair) visited DC for a professional conference this past December – and joined Fatou's classes!Read More -
Class & Club Spotlight - High School - Part 4
Read MoreEvolutionary Ideas: Season 8 BeginsA podcast about big ideas in human behavior and social psychology, examined through an evolutionary lens, Evolutionary Ideas is researched, written, performed, and produced by students in David's Advanced Psychology and Social Psychology electives. Now in its 8th season, the podcast recently launched with "Social Comparison" by Clara E. Z. '24, Will M. '24, and Niki P. '24. -
Class & Club Spotlight - Part 4
Read MoreBuilding Up Stonehenge
12th graders in Advanced Art History recently participated in the Ancient World Building challenge. Teams worked together to remember the building plans of various structures from Stonehenge to the Pantheon. After the plans are approved, they created the structure with any materials in the room (including these durable hardwood blocks).Did you know: Stonehenge's early construction likely began 3000 years before the Pantheon was built in 120-128 AD? -
Class & Club Spotlight - Part 3 - High School
Read MoreDNA and PCR
Students in Morgan G.'s Advanced Research in Molecular Biology class are wrapping up the experimentation portion of their research with gel electrophoresis. This lab allows students to visualize DNA that was amplified in their PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and to determine whether their arthropods are infected with Wolbachia. Wolbachia are bacteria that alter the reproductive cycles of the arthropods that they infect. Next, students will send DNA samples to Penn State University for sequencing. -
Senior Projects 2023
Traditionally, Burke seniors wrap up classes three weeks prior to Graduation, dedicating two weeks to a full-time, independent (or collaborative!) senior project, before returning to school to present their work to the full community. On June 1, students and faculty from all grades gathered around campus to watch small groups of seniors present and take questions about their projects.Read More -
Final Field Trips (Just For Now)
Read MoreThe week of May 22, Mustafa N.'s Ancient World class headed to the National Museum of Asian Art to view art from across the Islamic World, followed by the art of China from the Bronze Age to the modern period. -
Out and About in DC: Part 4
Follow along as our classes and clubs draw upon the region's myriad resources, often accessible thanks to the Van Ness Metro and numerous bus lines.Read More -
Museum of Bacterial Disease
At the conclusion of the 2nd trimester, students in the Medical Microbiology elective held a project showing outside the Chemistry Lab.Read More -
Combustion Engine Grants: Part 1
Each summer, the Professional Development Committee awards Combustion Engine Grants, which enable our faculty to enrich teaching and curricula in innovative ways.Read More
On January 9, 2023, Morgan G. (Science) and Matison H. D. '14 (English) presented on their funded projects from Summer 2022. -
Out and About in DC: Part 2
Last school year, our students could once again travel and explore our region's resources – and those excursions have continued to proliferate in 2022-23:Read More
List of 7 items.
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1:1 iPad Program
Read MoreSeeking to integrate technology into classrooms and improve teaching and learning equitably, Burke launched the mission-driven 1:1 iPad program in 2012.The goal is to equip every student with appropriate technology for learning and ensure that access to technology is equitable. Providing all students with the same device allows the faculty and the Academic Tech Team to manage the devices, including the apps installed on them. Burke also trains and supports teachers in taking advantage of the iPads' strengths: creativity, mobility, and interactivity.
Note: high school students may bring their iPads home, while middle school iPads remain on campus. -
Field Trips
Located one block from the Metro and within walking distance to Rock Creek Park, the Smithsonian National Zoo, and numerous embassies, Burke is an optimal starting place for exploration. All students have a double period from 11:10 AM to 12:40 PM (followed by lunch), enabling faculty to include travel into their curriculum.
Just a few examples include:- 12th grade Art History visits a different museum or gallery each month, from the National Gallery to Dumbarton Oaks to the Phillips Collection.
- 11th grade US History connects curriculum to exhibits at the Capital Jewish Museum, Japanese American Memorial, National Museum of African American History & Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, and the Portrait Gallery.
- 9th grade Earth Systems Science spends nearly every double period in Rock Creek Park, including conducting a biodiversity index.
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Civic Engagement
Every year, Burke students experience an integrated civics, equity, and leadership curriculum, grounded in social justice pedagogy. Learn more. -
Independent Study
In the High School, the Independent Study option enables students to pursue interests and explore personal passions, with support from a faculty member. Students frequently pursue independent studies in computer science, as well as specific areas of interest in the humanities, sciences, and arts.
The Independent Study in PE (ISPE) option allows students to earn credit for sports pursued outside of school. Learn more. -
Learning Support
Our Learning Support Department assists students in meeting the demands of Burke's challenging academic program. Full-time learning specialists provide support with organization, note and test-taking strategy, and self-advocacy. Learn more. -
Senior Projects
The Senior Project gives 12th grade students an opportunity to pursue interests and passions beyond the classroom and allows them to contribute to local communities and workplaces.
Learn more:
> https://www.burkeschool.org/academics/curriculum/senior-projects -
Teaching Assistants
High School students who are capable of independent work in a subject can also serve as Teaching Assistants at Burke: assisting the teacher, working with students during in-class exercises, or teaching short lessons. Other responsibilities might include peer tutoring or helping to organize field trips.
Field Trips | 2023-24 - in progress
Co-ed, progressive, college prep school in Washington, DC featuring a challenging curriculum in an inclusive environment for grades 6-12.
4101 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 | Phone: 202-362-8882 | Fax: 202-362-1914