Burke Life
Student Activities
From our "no cut" policy to our extracurricular schedule, we foster an environment where students can explore, collaborate, and try new things – be that in 6th, 9th, or 12th grade. Whether you are brand-new to cross country or well-versed in technical theater, Burke will be your space to grow.
We design our schedule to: 1) enable students to try a wide variety of extracurriculars and discover what they most enjoy and 2) build time for arts, clubs, and affinity spaces into the school day, both to affirm their significant value and to lessen the constraints on after school hours.
We design our schedule to: 1) enable students to try a wide variety of extracurriculars and discover what they most enjoy and 2) build time for arts, clubs, and affinity spaces into the school day, both to affirm their significant value and to lessen the constraints on after school hours.
Extracurricular Overview
| Sports teams, theatre | practice and rehearse after school with occasional weekend commitments |
| Bands, choruses | are classes and meet during the school day with some evening and off-campus performances |
| Affinity groups | meet during the morning community period on a rotating basis |
| Clubs, yearbook | meet during the Friday clubs period |
| Government, newspaper, leadership program | meet during lunch with some after school and evening commitments |
List of 3 items.
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Student-Run Clubs
These clubs meet on Fridays during the morning community period.
Updated: September 2023Arts for ChangeBadminton ClubBook ClubThe Cageliner (newspaper)Chess TeamCrafts ClubCrochet ClubCurrent Events ClubDance TeamDebate & Discuss ClubDungeons & Dragons ClubEco ClubEntrepreneurship ClubFashion ClubMake-A-Wish ClubMath TeamMock TrialModel UNMovie ClubOxford Comma ClubPAW (literary magazine)Science ClubSkate ClubSocial ClubStock MarketStudents Against Gun ViolenceTea ClubYearbook -
Affinity Groups
Anti-Racist Group of White StudentsAsian Student AssociationBlack Girls MeetBlack Student Union (BSU)Boys Leading BoysFaith in FocusFeminist Cooperative (FemCo)FusionLatine/Hispanic Student Union (LHSU)Jewish Affinity Group (JAG)Middle School Students of ColorQueer Student AllianceYoung Black Men -
Publications
Photography, Art, Writing ("PAW") - meets during clubs period
The Cageliner (newspaper) - meets during lunch and enables participation in other clubs
Yearbook - meets during clubs period
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Let's Go Clubbing
Read MoreAt the Club Expo, that is. On Friday, September 13, student leaders set up tables and displays from the Commons to the Library, encouraging fellow students to sign up for their organization – and often enticing them with treats (or "elements" in the Science Club's case). -
All Together Now
Read MoreOn the second day of school, we gathered in the Bengal Den for Opening Assembly, led by this year's Student Government Association Co-Presidents Taylor S. '26 and Jack J. '26. -
Sustainability in Philly
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.Read More -
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Founders' Day 2024: Game On!
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.Read More -
Student Spotlight: Eliza G. '25 and Olivia M. '25
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!Read More -
Interfaith Conversation
Last month, Faith in Focus hosted a joint Passover and Ramadan program (beautifully led by Elena M. '26), with help from the Jewish Affinity Group – culminating in a Friday afternoon gathering, where students and adults sampled an array of foods, including dates (used to break the fast during Ramadan) and charoset (served during the Passover seder).Read More -
Recognizing Our Reporters
Read MoreThe 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. -
The Voices of History
On February 22, our Black Student Union, Black Girls Meet, and Young Black Men affinity groups mounted a powerful celebration of Black History Month at assembly, encompassing poetry, film, trivia, and performance. The assembly concluded with a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," bringing together singers from across all grades.Read More -
Burke's Got Talent
Each winter, students from all grades gather to showcase their musical and artistic talents in the Atrium (while enjoying snacks and a chill atmosphere). As hosts of the event, Student Government Association bestows a unique awards on each act, plus names their top three picks.Read More -
Student Spotlight: Carrie J. '24
Congratulations and cheers to Carrie J. '24, who has been named to the 2024 Arts and Social Justice Fellowship (ASJF) cohort.Read More -
Belated Halloween 2023 Report
Spooky Town HallRead More
This year's Halloween Assembly served a dual purpose. First, costumed SGA leaders, along with school administrators, hosted a panel-style discussion, responding to questions from student-constituents.
Haunted ShowdownNext up, the Annual Costume Contest, judged by a most esteemed faculty and staff panel, showcased the creativity, humor, and whimsy of students and adults alike. Each grade had two entries (group or individual), and delightful garments included Jafar (6th grade), Jake from State Farm (9th grade), the Despicable Me family (11th grade), and a fluffy blue shark (12th grade). Ultimate winners were:- 1st place - Owen F. '24 as "Barbenheimer"
- 2nd place, tie - Beatrix F. '27 as a Clown and Elijah S. '24 as Costco
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Spirit & Pep
Read MoreSpirit Week
The week of October 2 brought a veritable parade of zany and creative garb, as students and adults alike embraced the Spirit Week themes. If you have not already, be sure to hop to Burke's Instagram for reel recaps of each spirit day. -
Boundless Bonding
On September 21-22, grades 6-11 scattered across (and beyond) the DC region to explore and connect with their classmates.Read More -
Joining the Clubs
September 14 marked the raucous, awesome, annual Club Expo, where student-run club leaders entice new members through colorful displays and the occasional cookie. Nearly 30 clubs made an appearance, ranging from Arts for Change to Crochet Club, from Model UN to the Middle School Tea Club.Read More -
Student Spotlight: JP P. '27
Read MoreThis past summer, Joseph P. '27 (JP) was the youngest participant in a Wild Images tour, resulting in beautiful wildlife photographs captured in Nome and Utqiagvík, Alaska. Below is an excerpts from Wild Images' interview with JP this August. -
Bengals Assemble
Read MoreAs is tradition, all community members gathered on the first day of class for an assembly. Following announcements and introductions (some spoken and some sung) to new faculty and staff, the Student Government Association kicked off the first grade competition of the year: perennial favorite Schoolwide Musical Chairs.What are grade competitions?Musical Chairs Showdown | September 7 2023
Students can participate in impromptu, amusing contests during the year, with the winners earning points for their grade. The grade with the most points earns a prize plus eternal bragging rights. -
Let's Get Together!
Read MoreHundreds of students, family members, faculty, staff, and friends assembled in our favorite Rock Creek locale for some back-to-school merriment. They met new friends, reconnected with old friends, played some impromptu soccer and Connect Four, and enjoyed delicious food from Taco Bamba.
Special thanks to Edmund Burke Parents Association's leadership for heading up this great tradition. -
Student Spotlight: Cary T. T. '25
Earlier this year, all 10th graders researched and crafted "Project Soapbox" speeches, with four Burke students moving on to the DC citywide competition. Cary T. T. '25 was named one of the top 10 speakers at Soapbox DC in December, and was then selected to attend Soapbox Nation, "the next level opportunity for students from across the country."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
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