Academics
Middle School
The Magnitude of Middle School
In middle school, students develop the habits of mind and body that drive their future success in school. At this crucial juncture, we want to foster and sustain curiosity and desire to learn. Middle schoolers want to explore, create, collaborate, and question incessantly. As a progressive school, we encourage and guide that energy. At Burke, the city is our classroom – and students learn through frequent field trips, outdoor experience, and travel in and beyond the region.
Middle School Program by Grade
List of 2 items.
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High School Curriciulum
Burke offers both a thoughtful, measured transition from 8th to 9th grade and exciting, new experiences when students begin high school. -
Phones & Devices in Middle School
Given the research, our own experiences, and our emphasis on learning and community, all middle schoolers (Grades 6-8) place their phone and / or smartwatch in a locked cabinet for the duration of the school day.
Further reading:
Get Phones Out of Schools Now by Jonathan Haidt (NYU Stern)
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6th Grade Core
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7th Grade Language Arts
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8th Grade Band
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Our Vision
We believe the world is diverse and dynamic. Through experiences that foster creativity, self-discovery, and wonder, our Middle School students cultivate the skills and habits of mind they need to become critical thinkers and passionate learners.Burke students learn to collaborate with others and excel as individuals, ready to embrace the opportunities and meet the challenges of the future. We empower global citizens to change the world.
News & Events
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Space Farming Report
7th grade Life Science has been studying the effects of cosmic radiation on plant seeds.Read More -
Sports Spotlight: Girls MS Soccer Team
Your reigning conference champions made a remarkable case to repeat their title this season.Read More -
Theatrical Wonderland
To wrap up the trimester, students in Brent's Acting, Directing & Design 8 class performed excerpts from Alice in Wonderland for other 8th grade arts classes.Read More -
Clean Up On the 2800 Block
Through Clean City DC's Adopt a Block program, Burke has adopted the 2800 and 2900 blocks of Upton Street NW. "Anyone can participate in the Adopt a Block program - individuals, families, churches, businesses, schools, and other groups and organizations," according to #TrashFreeDC.Read More -
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: -
Let's Explore - Part 1
In progressive schools, we expect learning to be hands-on, active, and experiential. Thanks to our Metro-accessible location, DC's vast cultural and historical resources can support just such learning.Read More -
With Pride and Music
On Wednesday, June 5, 6th-11th grade gathered for the year's final assembly. Middle school (in the Theater) and high school (in the Atrium) held their own recognitions of Pride Month, led by the Queer Student Alliance. High school leaders discussed the origins of Pride in the US, complemented by original poetry by students.Read More -
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 -
The Sun Comes Out On Stage
On May 16-18, the Middle School performed an uplifting, sold-out run of Annie Jr., the Broadway staple about a resourceful young orphan (Leona K. '28) and a guarded, but benevolent billionaire (Jessica B. '29) amid the Great Depression in New York City.Read More -
"Annie:" Cast & Crew Announcement
This coming spring, the Middle School will mount Annie Jr., featuring a high-energy, captivating cast of 30 performers. Set in New York City amid the Great Depression, this Broadway standard follows the optimistic Annie (Leona K. '28) as she escapes swindling from the spiteful Miss Hannigan (Izzy M. '28) and con artists Rooster (Robert D. '28) and Lily (Natalie W. '28), and discovers an opulent new world with Olivia Warbucks (Jessica B. '29) and Grace Farrell (Jayla Z. '28).Read More -
An Upset on Pi Day
Thursday, March 14 ("3.14"), marked the annual celebration of a transcendental mathematical constant.Read More -
8th Grade: Experience History
On February 12, the 8th grade embarked on their annual, four-day civil rights tour through Alabama, as part of their social justice framework. The trip begins in Birmingham, then moves among Montgomery, Selma, and Lowndes County.Read More -
Student Spotlight: Ella B. '30
In celebration of Black History Month, the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick, MD, showcased young artistic talents in Seeds to Roots. Featured at the event was "Whoa, I'm Glowing: a Celebration of Black Girl Joy and Ancestral Harmony" by Ella B. '30. Watch the animated short right here.Read More -
Class & Class Spotlight - Part 6
Reacting in Science ClubRead More
Bob K. reports that the Science Club recently did a version of the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction, an oscillating chemical reaction, where the indicator colors appear to flip from yellow to blue as the mixture moves toward equilibrium. -
New York, New York!
Read MoreFrom January 23-25, 6th graders took their first civic engagement trip to New York City, part of their social justice framework on migration. Over three days in the city, they delved into the history behind their literature curriculum – including the 19th and 20th century European immigrant experience, the Great Migration from the Jim Crow South, and the legacies of September 11, 2001. -
Class & Club Spotlight - Middle School - Part 5
Queries and CuriositiesRead MoreOn Wednesday, the 6th grade spent a day at the Natural History Museum, highlighted by Q?rius (pronounced "curious") at The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, where students can experience the museum from behind the scenes.Kelly W. reports that this Q?rius program, Dig Deep, used geologic maps and (pretend) core drill samples to predict the location of iron ore underground. The 6th grade then paid a visit to the Hall of Fossils - Deep Time, aka: where the dinosaurs dwell. -
Class & Club Spotlight - Middle School - Part 4
From the IKEA AislesRead More
In 7th grade, Tiny House Projects have commenced. For this interdisciplinary project in math and science, students build an actual tiny house to scale. They research tiny home design, incorporate eco-friendly and sustainable features, and track their budget, leading up to a presentation. On Tuesday, December 5, they visited IKEA to explore small space design and, of course, enjoy a delicious meal. -
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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Día de los Muertos
Read MoreDuring their October unit on the Day of the Dead in Mexico, Mónica's Spanish 7/8 class learned about the "Calaveritas Literarias" or "literary skeletons," a type of poem shared among friends and family leading up to the Day of the Dead. Mónica writes, "it's both a loving and a humorous poetry style that has to rhyme on every even verse." Students had a blast writing the poems, often dedicated to their classmates or family. Corin M. '29 wrote for "mi perrita loquita - y crees un gato."On November 8, 7th grade traveled to the Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington on 16th Street to visit this year's Day of the Dead ofrenda and take a tour of the building's murals, which include a three-story mural by Roberto Cueva del Río. -
Class & Club Spotlight - Part 3 - Middle School
Pictured: students in Principles of Art craft ambitious land art at Peirce MillRead 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