Academics
Curriculum
Progressive | Challenging | Project-Based
At Burke, you'll learn through challenging college prep academics – our progressive pedagogy values your individuality and places you at the center of your education.
YOU'LL LEARN FROM:
- Thoughtful Debate
- Rigorous Courses
- Spirited Collaboration
- Faculty who Prioritize Critical Thinking
- Visits to Museums, Parks, and Embassies
- Hands-On, Multi-Disciplinary Projects
Most importantly, you'll learn from your peers ... because your interests, background, and experience contribute to everyone's education.
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 in 2022-23
Field Trips in 2023-24 - in progress
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Class & Class Spotlight - Part 3
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 2 - Middle School
Pictured: students in Principles of Art craft ambitious land art at Peirce MillRead More -
Class & Club Spotlight - Part 2 - 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. -
Class & Club Spotlights - Part 2
History On TrialRead More
In Modern World History, a special tribunal (pictured: Steve, Mustafa, and Judyth) convened to determine who was most responsible for crimes committed against the Taínos and the other indigenous peoples in the Caribbean basin under Spain's oppressive rule in the late 15th century. Students presented different arguments for Christopher Columbus, his crew and men, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain, and the system of empire itself, and the judges assessed the evidentiary material, artifacts, and presentations. -
Class & Club Spotlight - Part 1
A Question of TasteRead More
Over the summer, Advanced Art History read Why a Painting Is Like a Pizza: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying Modern Art by Nancy G. Heller, Professor of Art History at The University of the Arts (PA). Heller asserts, "though both can be judged by a set of established standards, pizzas and paintings must ultimately be evaluated in terms of individual taste." Drawing on the book's themes, students completed a contemporary art scavenger hunt at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden last week. -
Faculty Spotlight: Bob K.
We are thrilled to announce that Williams College has awarded the George Olmsted Jr. Class of 1924 Prize for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching to our own Bob K.Read More -
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 -
Senior Academic Distinction - Class of 2023
On Tuesday, May 30, the graduating class 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.Read More
(*) Department-selected student speaker for the ceremony -
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. -
Around the Bay & Above the Ground
On Friday, April 21, each Middle School grade engaged in trips and excursions tied into a component of the curriculum – ranging from ecology to 3-D art to the Civil Right Movement.Read More -
Environmental Albatross
Amy successfully applied to a US Fish and Wildlife Service program and received a Laysan Albatross bolus (indigestible material from the bird's gut) for the 7th grade to examine in Life Science class.Read More -
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 -
Learning Through Games
Read MoreThe Ceramics Podium
With much pomp and circumstance, Deborah Z.'s Ceramics 9/10 class hosted the 2023 Winter Clay Olympics, resulting in the following champions:- Max G. '25 and Campbell S. '25 - Best Pinch Pot (tie)
- Elena V. '26 - Best Slab
- Lailah B. '25 - Longest Coil
- Campbell S. '25 - Ceramics Kahoot! Champ
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Out and About in DC: Part 3
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 -
Combustion Engine Grants: Part 2
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 February 27, 2023, Mustafa N. (History) presented on his funded projects from Summer 2022. -
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 -
Slices of the Geosphere
In Addie H.'s Earth Systems Science, students are exploring the geosphere, including the rock cycle, geological timeline, and plate tectonics. As they wrapped up their unit, each student created an artifact to illustrate the elements of the geosphere.Read More -
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 -
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. -
Build Your Own Computer
In the Winter trimester, 9th-11th graders in the Build Your Own Computer elective are discovering the ins-and-outs of computers from a physical perspective.Read More
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