A capstone experience for the junior class is a week-long civic engagement conference, focused on environmentalism, conservation, and public policy in the DC region. Led by Kamilah S., the 11th grade welcomed eighteen guest speakers and presenters, including from the Maryland Department of the Environment, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, The Ocean Conservancy, and Sierra Club (among numerous others) and even Chris-Ann Burton '18 from City Wildlife.
From heading up The Cageliner in her senior year at Burke to joining the Chicago Tribune soon after graduating from the University of Chicago, Caroline K. '17 has long been dedicated to journalism and public interest storytelling. And as of this spring, she is also a 2026 Pulitzer Prize honoree.
A large and energetic audience gathered on May 27 to cheer onBand 7, Band 8, Ensemble 11/12, Intermediate Band 9/10, and Advanced Band 11/12, with dozens of student demonstrating their musical range on multiple instruments.
Advanced Band featured a stand-out cohort of 12th grade musicians, some of whom had been playing together since 6th grade, in their final on-campus performance.
Looking to relive the Spring Art Show? Enjoy a selection of exhibits online. Nearly every wall and surface at Burke was transformed through painting, drawing, ceramics, photo, graphic design, and mixed media from artists in every grade.
On Tuesday, May 26, students and families gathered for the Burke Recognition Assembly, at which we celebrated excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts in our senior class, as well as civic engagement among juniors and seniors.
Before the year concludes, explore the work from Curtis' 10th and 11th graders, exhibited along the Atrium balcony. Modern World History 10 has created "Japanese Society and Nuclear Warfare," an exhibit about the impact of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Japan. The exhibit is divided into two parts: historical information about the environmental, social, and psychological impacts of the bombs, complemented by student art about the historical context.
Bengal Track & Fields Sprints to Individual Titles
On May 11-12, high school athletes competed in the PVAC Upper School Championships in Rockville, MD. The Burke women's team notched 3rd place overall by a comfortable margin, with the Bengals taking 4th in the men's division – meaning that all four of Burke's track and field squads recorded top four conference finishes.
Burke Bands took to the stage at Pearl Street Warehouse last week, with Intermediate Band 9/10 and Advanced Band 11/12 showcasing their striking instrumental and vocal range at the Waterfront.
Big, bright, beautiful applause to the middle school cast & crew of Shrek Jr., who closed out the 2025-26 theater season this past weekend.
To win back control of his beloved swamp from the evil and insecure Lord Farquaad (Gabe S. '30), antisocial ogre Shrek (Elijah C. '30) must team up with a loquacious donkey (Riley S. '30) and rescue the long-suffering Princess Fiona (Meadow J. '30) – with some help from a displaced fairy tale cadre and numerous catchy musical numbers.
Marylisa writes, "In Advanced Topics in Spanish we honored the memory of the 30,000 individuals of all ages who were disappeared during the 1976 Argentine military dictatorship. To mark the 50th anniversary of this period, we explored its emotional impact through music, short films, and historical analysis, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past to prevent its repetition. Using a historical database, we researched the names of the disappeared, learned their stories, and wrote dedications on pañuelos blancos (the iconic white scarves worn by the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo) to help ensure their legacy is not forgotten." Be sure to read them on the 3rd floor of Calvin.
Going into the post-season, the Bengals were seeded #7 in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC) and took on rival Field (#2) in the conference quarterfinals on Monday, May 4 – and pulled off a shocking upset, advancing to the semifinals on May 7.
Congratulations to the Bengal runners, who took 3rd in both the girls' and boys' divisions at the Middle School PVAC Championships (and were the only school to achieve a podium finish in both divisions).
Coach Bobo writes, "Congratulations to our Varsity Golf Team on winning the 2026 PVAC Championship. Our Bengals were outstanding on Friday, May 1, at Paint Branch Golf Course, taking home 1st place with a score of 158 in a great competitive match with St. Anselm's (171), McLean (172), Sandy Springs (175), and JDS (204)."
Mark your calendars! In the coming theater season, we will venture to the Forest of Arden, into the woods (to go to the festival), and to a pineapple under the sea. Get ready for some Shakespearean enchantment and beloved Broadway ballads.