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Admissions

Why Burke

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  • Welcome to Edmund Burke School in Washington, DC

    Dedicated to equity, inclusion, and service in our nation’s capital since 1968.

Why A (relatively) Small School?

As a close-knit community of 315 students and 60 faculty, Burke ensures that each individual (and their family) is known and engaged.

Students have space to try new things, from a brand-new sport to a challenging new instrument or visual art. No one gets edged out based on sheer numbers.

While not sprawling, our campus is a great size for us. Our buildings are full of light and personality and provide quick access to the entire city – so you will often find classes on the Metro, at museums, and on Rock Creek Park's paths.

In times of stress or uncertainty, this comparatively small size confers tremendous value. We can adapt swiftly and creatively to change. We can adjust our supports and resources as needed.

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  • What is our phone & device policy?


    To keep focused on intellectual growth and community building while at school, Burke limits the use of personal phones and devices as follows:

    Middle School
    In the 6th-8th grade, students keep phones and smart watches in a locked cabinet for the duration of the school day.

    High School
    In 9th-12th grade, phones and devices must be put away during classes and community activities. Students may only use devices during breaks / free periods and lunch.

    Further reading:
    Get Phones Out of Schools Now by Jonathan Haidt (NYU Stern)

  • How do we approach AI?


    Technological advances have changed how we teach and learn countless times: hand-held calculators and Excel sparked changes in math instruction, spell checkers and translation software did the same for language learning, and so forth.
     
    AI is not a recent invention. But the technology has become powerful and easily accessible in a relatively short time. When prompted with a topic and parameters, a chatbot can generate a whole essay in a matter of seconds. AI can produce images and presentations, can solve equations and write step-by-step instructions. And its work can be hard to distinguish from work by human creators.

    So how does this affect what we do in school?

    > Read the full letter to families from September 2023

List of 10 items.

  • Alumni Are Prepared for College & Beyond

    students learn to self-advocate and work independently here at Burke, which serves them well for years to come.

  • Arts and Athletics Are Inclusive

    our "no-cut" policy means that students who want to try a new sport and audition for a production always have space to participate.

  • Civic Engagement is Woven Directly Into Our Curriculum

    through long-term organizational partnerships, students can deeply engage in service projects, advocacy, and social action.

  • No One Gets Lost in the Shuffle

    each student is paired up with a faculty advisor who closely monitors progress and provides one-on-one support.

  • Our Learning Environment is Not "One Size Fits All"

    both challenging, high-level coursework and extra learning support are available for students who need them

  • Washington DC is Our Campus

    Burke is steps from the Van Ness Metro and our faculty integrate the city’s resources directly into their classes.

  • We Keep the Fun in Middle School

    our close-knit Middle School has its own dedicated space and leadership team, who foster community and love of learning at the age when students are developing their attitudes towards school.

  • You Can Bring your Whole Self to School

    Burke fosters an environment where creativity, individuality, and differences of opinion and ideas are celebrated.

  • You Can Pursue Your Own Passions

    independent studies, teaching assistantships, seminars, and senior projects enable students to dig into subjects that spark their interests.

  • You Know Your Teachers, and They Know You

    with an average class size of just 12 students, teachers have the time and space to connect with each individual and truly understand how they learn best.
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