Independent. Progressive. College Prep. Grades 6-12.Founded in 1968.
our mission: Burke consciously brings together students who are different from one another in many ways, actively engages them in their own education, holds them to high expectations, gives them power and responsibility, and supports and advances their growth as skilled and independent thinkers who step forward to make positive contributions to the world in which they live.
average class size
12
student-teacher ratio
6:1
teachers with advanced degrees
77%
represented zip codes
59
students from DC
64%
blocks from the Metro
2
students of color
40%
new students from public schools
46%
new students from private schools
48%
new students from international schools
6%
1/10
creative, curious, and independent thinkers
Pursuing Civic Leadership
On February 5-7, Ashli J. '26, Ash H. '26, Angela W. '27, and Carter A. '27 represented Burke at the 2025 NAIS Student Civic Leadership Summit, while Curtis H. (History) took part in the concurrent NNSP Conference on Community & Civic Engagement.
In the spirit of the February holiday, Amy C. (MS Science) and. Kay C. (Visual Arts) teamed up with the 7th grade to animate scientifically accurate beating hearts with Procreate software.
Gothic Trials 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."
Back-to-back for the Bengals! The boys' team earned the PVAC Championship banner this year on Tuesday, February 10, at The St. James in Springfield; the girls' team just missed a repeat of last year's win with a close 2nd place finish. 8th grade stars Flynn G. '29 and Addison L. '29 placed 1st and 3rd for girls' individual scores, and Max F. C. '25 and. Jack J. '26 tied for 3rd on the boys side
On January 31, cheered on by a large and enthusiastic crowd at UDC's Henderson Complex, Girls Varsity took the lead from the jump and won 45-19 over Field School, with stellar play from Burke lifer Miriam K. G. '25 and eight different athletes scoring.
8th grade: The grade's leadership group reached out to Matthew Whittaker '04, inviting him to speak with the full grade in advance of their week-long trip to Alabama next month. Matthew talked about his favorite musicians and how music of the 1950s and 1960s played a role in the Civil Rights Movement in America.
Bengals took to the pool at Lowell School last week, where top finishes included Ari K. '29 and Morgan L. C. '30, 1st and 2nd in 96 Yard IM boys and girls races respectively. With 20 swimmers in the middle school, the future looks bright for Burke swimming. (Also working the Lowell meet? Dana M. '19!)
A biannual publication of our Communications and Development offices, 1968 Magazine features stories from alumni, students, faculty, and staff and includes Burke's Annual Report each fall.
A 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.
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.
Congratulations to the four Burke artists selected for In the Making: A Spectrum of Student Creativity at Studio Gallery in DC. Curated by Gia Harewood, this exhibit features emerging artists from DC schools and universities, including:
In the 2nd trimester, 7th grade scientists focus on the human body, including the immune, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems – studies anchored in Life Science with Amy C. and spanning multiple departments.
Each summer, Burke's Professional Development Committee awards Combustion Engine Grants, which enable faculty to enrich teaching and curricula in innovative ways during the summer months. Before the recent winter break, the Summer 2024 grant recipients presented on their work.
While completing a graduate certificate in African Studies at Boston University, Maureen (HS History) crafted a new unit on Ancient Africa for Burke's 9th grade.
Not one, but two Burke alums were SMYAL LGBT Youth Leadership Award recipients in 2024. Daria Strachan'24 received the Sophie's Live Out Loud scholarship, as "she exemplifies leadership primarily through her passion for filmmaking." Julia Vazquez-Brunetti '23 was honored for community leadership, including reinvigorating Burke's LGBTQ+ affinity group.
Following a 1-2 finish in last year's PVAC Championships, the Bengals got off to a strong start on December 5 at Trinity University, competing with Dematha, Elizabeth Seton, Brookewood, Visitation, and St. Anselm's Abbey. Top two finishes included:
Now in its 9th season, Evolutionary Ideas is a culminating project for 11th and 12th graders in the Social Psychology elective. Working in small groups, students research a large-scale topic and distill their work into a 15-minute episode. This year, they debuted their episodes with classes in the Middle School and then led a short discussion or activity on the topic, extending their learning across divisions.
🔊 Listen to Episode 1: "Regret" by Max F. C. '25, Nora S. '25, and Camilla T. '25.
an egalitarian, democratic, and participatory approach to education
Alum '22
I appreciated the opportunities for class discussion at Burke, and the small-class environment. Getting to know my teachers well and feeling comfortable enough to answer questions in class at Burke was formative for me. [I could then] translate that skill to college, where I felt confident enough to approach the professor to ask a question or start a conversation.
Alum '23
Burke’s English department is fantastic and I’m a very strong writer because of it.
Alum '24
If I could give a gift to everyone on this planet, it would be the opportunity to learn the way we are taught here.
Alum '24
From brilliant mentorship to top-notch curricula, I have no doubt that all my teachers at Burke have prepared me to use my math skills to change the world.
Alum '97
Burke's capacity to empower students to stand up for what's right, challenge assumptions, and approach problems thoughtfully is more important than ever.
Alum Parent '21, '22
The teachers at Burke know how to connect with their students and give them a voice. They bring real-world issues into the classroom, create authentic learning experiences, teach with purpose and intention, and are masters of their craft.
Student '25
Burke welcomes everyone and encourages you to try new things and hang out with everyone, regardless of their grade. I knew that transferring to a new school for my junior year was going to be hard, but Burke made the transition smooth.
Student '30
Burke makes school awesome.
Student '28
Burke doesn't just allow you to be yourself; they give you the materials you need to express who you are.
Faculty
Burke students default to respecting each other, and the impact that has on the learning environment, for everyone, is astronomical.
Amy '28
Started in 8th Grade - "Burke is an extremely welcoming place."