Academics
Curriculum
High School
We strive for balance among academic rigor, civic engagement, and community well-being.
At Burke, students can pursue subjects at a high-level – ranging from multivariable calculus to Spanish literature to microbiology research – while also having space to explore new interests and enjoy their high school years. We hold students to high expectations, and we find the challenges that motivate them as individual learners.
Our focus on access (and "no cut" policy) means that students can pick up a new instrument, try out a new sport, and delve into robotics or creative writing for the first time during high school. We also build civic engagement into the school day, keeping students attuned to the broader world – and how they might make positive change within it.
At Burke, students can pursue subjects at a high-level – ranging from multivariable calculus to Spanish literature to microbiology research – while also having space to explore new interests and enjoy their high school years. We hold students to high expectations, and we find the challenges that motivate them as individual learners.
Our focus on access (and "no cut" policy) means that students can pick up a new instrument, try out a new sport, and delve into robotics or creative writing for the first time during high school. We also build civic engagement into the school day, keeping students attuned to the broader world – and how they might make positive change within it.
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Class Spotlight - Part 1
On the AirwavesRead More
Curtis' 11th and 12th grade History of the DMV elective visited our Van Ness neighbors at WAMU 88.5. They watched Jen White of The 1A host the show live (the topic of the day was anthropomorphism), experienced the inner workings of radio interviews and production, and then met with Jen when the broadcast concluded. -
Environmental Immersion
Read MoreIn 11th grade, the civic engagement framework is environmental justice, culminating in a couple significant projects.Poster CompetitionIn collaboration with our partners at the Ocean Conservancy, small groups of 11th graders participated in a poster competition to highlight the negative impact of microplastic pollution on people, animals, and the environment and ways to address pollution in marginalized communities. The top three groups will have their posters displayed at Ocean Conservancy and in their online gallery: 1st - Water Pollution in the Chesapeake Watershed, 2nd - Watch Out for Our Bay, 3rd - Plastics in Our Waters. -
Humanities Spotlight - June 2025
Inspecting the InsectsRead More"When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin," reads the opening line of Franz Kafka's 1915 seminal novella The Metamorphosis. The protagonist's exact form remains ambiguous, especially when translated from the original German, so 10th graders Nathan's Modern World Literature class headed to the O. Orkin Insect Zoo at the Museum of Natural History to explore the possibilities. -
Seniors on the Road
For the last two weeks, seniors have been scattered around the region (and even around the country) for their Senior Projects, focused on an interest or cause outside the classroom. Each senior project must include clear learning objectives, 5-7 hours of work each day, and guidance or coaching from an expert in the field. 50 different sites have hosted our seniors, including Arlington Food Assistance Center (VA), Brookland Middle School (DC), Children's National Hospital (DC), German Historical Institute (DC), and Traveling Players Ensemble (VA), among others. Today, seniors returned to campus to present their work and learnings to the full community.Read More -
On Their Soapboxes
For the 10th grade civic engagement framework (Action Civics in the DMV), each student identified a social issue that spoke to them and volunteered at an organization addressing that issue – ranging from clean rivers to affordable housing. This spring, each student researched their issue in depth and wrote a "soapbox speech," based on Mikva Challenge's Project Soapbox public speaking program.Read More -
Bioethics and Beyond
High school students in Morgan's Bioethics class have welcomed incredible guest speakers this trimester, including:Read More -
On Food Justice
As part of their grade's civic engagement framework (Hunger and Food Justice), each 9th grader spent a day at the Capital Area Food Bank, either on April 2 or April 4.Read More -
Class Spotlight - HS History & Social Science
Memorial ConsiderationRead More10th graders in Curtis' Modern World History class headed to the World War I Memorial on April 1. He shared, "after learning about World War I in class, we analyzed the memorial using three big questions: 1) What story is the memorial telling? 2) What story is it not telling? and 3) What story should it tell?" -
Ready to Roll in Robotics
Read More"Conceived in 2016 as a graduate class at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology," the Duckietown ecosystem was "originally designed to provide an answer to the question: what is the least hardware we need for deploying single- and multi-robot advanced autonomy solutions?" -
Class Spotlight - HS History & Science
Yes, They RuleRead More
In Constitutional Law, 11th and 12th graders have been researching cases currently before (or recently decided by) the US Supreme Court. In a series of gallery walk-style presentations last week, students discussed their predictions on how the court will rule and how they think the court should rule.
Pictured: Perttu v. Richards (Lillie E. '26), Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission (Ethan F. '26), and Glossip v. Oklahoma (Chaeyoon M. '26). -
Class Spotlight - February 2025
Read MoreIf you haven't recently, stroll up the Hobbes stairs, through the 2nds floor Commons, and around the 1st floor of Calvin and peruse works from Advanced Ceramics, Art Explorations 6, Ceramics 9/10, Digital Art 7, Digital Media 9/10, and Drawing 9/10, among others.Pictured (clockwise from top left): works by Ashli J. '26, Margot G. '27, Elsa H. '27, Noelle T. '25, and Henry S. '30. -
Trials & Manners
Gothic TrialsRead More
While reading Frankenstein, 9th graders in Nate D.'s class held a mock trial to determine responsibility for the death of William Frankenstein. Nate reports, "Victor Frankenstein and the Creature were charged with the crime, and students were cast as attorneys, clients, and judges. Evidence from Mary Shelley's text was crucial in building a case. Attorneys delivered opening and closing statements in the trial, while each client answered questions in direct and cross examination. Judges presided over the trial and issued a final verdict at the end. All had a chance to practice public speaking, and they even dressed up for the occasion." -
Dispatch from the Court
Read MoreA hearty group of Constitutional Law students endured a 14 degree, 7 AM start to the day to stand in line outside the Supreme Court of the United States with the hope of getting a seat in the courtroom. We succeeded, and were there to witness the first oral argument that day. Barnes v. Felix involves the tragic death of a young man, Ashtian Barnes, at the hands of Sgt. Roberto Felix, Jr. a police officer in Harris County. -
Grade Meeting Glimpse
In the high school, students gather in several configurations during the community period, including advisory groups, homerooms (several advisories together), and as a full grade. In those grade meetings, the agenda may range from serious to celebratory.Read More -
Support and Accountability
Read MoreOn November 22-23, high school students, including Avery D. '27, Gabrielle B. '28, and Jack J. '26, attended the GDS Summit on Sexual Assault & Consent, along with Curtis (History), Dennis (PE), Ginger (History), and Sharielle (Equity, Inclusion & Civic Engagement). -
Class & Club Spotlight - December 2024
From DNA to PCRRead More
To wrap up the fall trimester, Advanced Research in Molecular Biology students hosted a poster presentation for peers and parents. While investigating the distribution of Wolbachia (common bacterium) in insect populations, students learned molecular biology techniques, including DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA sequencing. Pictured, center: research by Sam H. '25, Paul G. '25, and Sydney W. '25. -
Student Spotlight
Congratulations to Aaron H. '25, who was recently selected as one of just two Student Members of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee for 2024-25, reflecting his longtime investment in civic action and local government.Read More -
Class & Club Spotlight - October 2024
Class on ConservationRead MoreClaire Helmke, a wildlife biologist with nonprofit conservation group Quail Forever, visited the 9th and 10th grade Environmental Science classes last week to share her experience in wildlife research and habitat restoration. Students then crafted research questions based on their study spots in Rock Creek Park, which the classes will work towards answering in the coming months. -
Burke On The Road - October 2024
Read MoreExperiential learning abounds this fall. On a given day, you might spot numerous classes leaving campus during the double period for exploration and research. For example:
Co-ed, progressive, college prep school in Washington, DC featuring a challenging curriculum in an inclusive environment for grades 6-12.
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