Independent. Progressive. College Prep. Grades 6-12.Founded in 1968.
our mission: Burke consciously brings together students who are different from one another in many ways, actively engages them in their own education, holds them to high expectations, gives them power and responsibility, and supports and advances their growth as skilled and independent thinkers who step forward to make positive contributions to the world in which they live.
student-teacher ratio
6:1
faculty with advanced degrees
74%
represented zip codes
65
students from DC
59%
blocks from the Metro
2
students in Grades 6-12
315
students of color
40%
new students from public schools
46%
new students from private schools
48%
new students from international schools
6%
1/10
creative, curious, and independent thinkers
With Pride and Music
On Wednesday, June 5, 6th-11th grade gathered for the year's final assembly. Middle school (in the Theater) and high school (in the Atrium) held their own recognitions of Pride Month, led by the Queer Student Alliance. High school leaders discussed the origins of Pride in the US, complemented by original poetry by students.
In the final week of May, 62 student musicians from five Burke bands performed 21 pieces from myriad musical genres – including songs by Dizzy Gillespie, Etta James, the Beatles, Joan Jett, and Bruno Mars.
Speaking of numbers, six musicians performed on three or more instruments, including a modular synthesizer!
Our vocal music classes concluded their performance season on May 23, singing for a capacity crowd in the theater. Opening with the 7th/8th Combined Chorus, the concert also featured High School Chorus,Taylor S. '26 (representing the new Songwriting class), and the debut of "Diving In," the 6th grade performing arts survey class.
On May 29, Burke welcomed Matt Scott for the Grace Mann '12 Speaker Series. Honoring the memory of a Burke alum who was passionate about social justice and advocacy, this annual speaker series reflects those same passions.
Global Dimensions In Earth Systems Science and Advanced ESS, students built two and three-dimensional models that defined the main spheres of the earth (atmosphere, hydrospheres, biosphere, and geosphere) and how these major subsystems connect. Their creative approaches now adorn every surface in the ESS lab, including an "Edible Earth" model, a spinning globe, a multi-player board game, and a graphic book (pictured).
On Tuesday, May 28, the Class of 2024 and members of the faculty gathered in the theatre to recognize students who achieved academic distinction in one or more departments. Awards are based on consistently high performance and advanced coursework in the subject.
(*) department-selected student speaker for the ceremony
Building a Beak: How a Toucan’s Rescue Inspired the World (Page Street Kids, 2024) by Becca McMurdie '03 and illustrated by Diana Hernández will be released on June 11. Building a Break tells the true story of Grecia, a toucan who received a 3-D printed prosthetic beak.
The 7th grade has returned from their annual overnight in Philadelphia, centered around sustainability and conservation. Following an early departure, they spent the morning at the Philadelphia Zoo, explored Bartram’s Garden and searched for microplastics in the Schuylkill River, and visited the Magic Gardens before spending the night at Temple University.
On May 16-18, the Middle School performed an uplifting, sold-out run of Annie Jr., the Broadway staple about a resourceful young orphan (Leona K. '28) and a guarded, but benevolent billionaire (Jessica B. '29) amid the Great Depression in New York City.
From May 21-24, the 11th grade engaged in a four-day, multi-site workshop on environmental justice and youth advocacy.
On the first day, hosted at UDC, students heard from opening keynote speaker Kori Ellien (Environmental & Special Projects Division of Native Americans in Philanthropy) and then participated in three breakout sessions with guest facilitators, focused on Land & Water on Native reservations, People & Culture, and Animals & Wildlife. Matt Scott from Project Drawdown delivered the closing keynote.
On Friday, May 10, the Class of 2024 marked their final day of high school classes with an enthusiastic (and touching) countdown in the Atrium. For the following two weeks, students can pursue an independent project, work with a professional in the field, or connect with an organization.
At the PVAC Upper School Championships, the boys' team finished an impressive 2nd, just behind Sandy Spring Friends (120-105), and the girls' team took 3rd, edging out Field for a podium position. The Bengals also secured three individual titles.
Eoin S. '24 - 1st in the 800 meters (repeat champion!), plus 2nd in the 1600
This past April, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Mid-Atlantic Region) recognized Eliza G. '25 and Olivia M. '25 for their work with Student Visionaries of the Year, a seven-week philanthropic leadership program supporting LLS' mission to cure blood cancers. The team representing Burke collectively raised over $46,266 for the cause. Congratulations!
For Assembly on May 1, Burke hosted Hurunnessa Fariad, Outreach Director at Multi-Faith Neighbors Network, and Rabbi Alexandra Stein from Temple Rodef Shalom. In conversation with Sharielle, they discussed how their different faith traditions inform how they navigate differences and find common ground when possible.
On Tuesday, May 7, we celebrated the wide range of cultures and traditions represented at Burke – starting with steelpan music on the front steps during arrival.
Dreamed up in 1999, and revamped in 2008, Founders' Day remains an anticipated tradition during the spring months. Led by a team of 11th and 12th graders, this year's event boasted a board game theme, with inter-grade teams named for Ticket to Ride, Chess, Connect 4, and Monopoly, among others.
On April 20, Team DC, a nonprofit that promotes participation in sports among the LGBTQ+ community in greater Washington, hosted their Night of Champions Gala – where Burke's own Stacy received the 2024 Clark Ray Horizon Award, which honors DC educators and coaches who support LGBTQ students in athletics. "I will continue to work towards Clark Ray’s mission to make a difference in the lives of our young people. I also know that they envision a future I cannot see, but one we must help them reach," Stacy writes.
The Private School Journalism Association (PSJA) Contest, co-sponsored by Quill and Scroll, awarded 1st place for Continuous Team Coverage to The Cageliner's 2021-22 and 2022-23 editorial boards and contributing writers – recognizing their thoughtful, multifaceted reporting in the aftermath of the April 22 shooting.
an egalitarian, democratic, and participatory approach to education
Alum '22
My teachers have been committed to supporting their students as best they can. Committed to creating class environments where we feel safe to fail, to get the answers wrong, but try again and thrive. Attending Burke has been the first time I felt like I belonged in my science classes.
Parent '21, '22
The teachers at Burke know how to connect with their students and give them a voice. They bring real-world issues into the classroom, create authentic learning experiences, teach with purpose and intention, and are masters of their craft.
Student '24
Burke teaches you how to be a good person, while prepping you for college. There are sports schools and arts schools, but Burke is a social justice school.
Student '24
[I would describe Burke as] a place of warmth, acceptance, and vast knowledge.
Student '28
Burke doesn't just allow you to be yourself; they give you the materials you need to express who you are.
High School Faculty
Burke students default to respecting each other, and the impact that has on the learning environment, for everyone, is astronomical.
Middle School Faculty
The joy of teaching Burke students is watching the lights go on in their heads when they make connections from what they are studying to their lives. But even more rewarding is when they take those connections and build on them to innovate and change their world.
Amy '28
Started in 8th Grade - "Burke is an extremely welcoming place."