Burk Elementary School

This is our seventh year at Burk. I have a 6th and 4th grader and we've been going there since my oldest was in Kindergarten. We actually live just out of the school boundary but are so thankful for open enrollment so we can attend each year. I have felt the staff, teachers, administration, aids, etc, all have care and concern for the children. They go above and beyond trying to teach "books" but also teach character. They lead by example. My husband used to be a teacher and he is always amazed how the principal is so involved with the teachers and parents. He is active and present. I even notice him doing crosswalk duty regardless of pouring down rain or intense heat. My kids have grown and have stretched both academically and in personal growth. I couldn't be more proud of them and am so thankful to partner with a great school. It takes a village to raise kids, and I'm thankful these teachers and staff care so much about mine.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been going there for 2 and a half years now for preschool. So far it seems great. Staff is friendly. Not sure if we will continue going here just because it is not our "home" school.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Burk Elementary. my older son went to this school for 5th - 6th and we were so pleased to see how involved the entire staff is. The principal is by far the best I have come to know. we have never seen a principal to be outside in the morning directing traffic and working the crosswalk and saying "good morning the the students by name. our youngest son started at Burk last year for Kindergarten and loves it. He loves his teachers and the Principal. what an awesome school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a high opinion of Burk Elementary. My daughter is starting second grade this year and our Kindergarten and First Grade experience has been magical. I believe she has been stretched and I am pleased with the amount of science and social studies taught at this school. I am also impressed with the technology at this school, every classroom has a smart board. One thing that impresses me about the principal is that he is always outside, not in his office. I see him out before school, I see him walking around at lunch time, and he is always out amongst the students and parents after school. There are a lot of strong families that attend Burk and I think that is the biggest contributor of what makes this schol wonderful, lots of parent volunteers and a strong PTSO. I am so grateful for such a great & positive school expereience right here in my neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

Burk Elem. is a school that is comprised of the most dedicated and caring individuals. Starting with Mr. Paes, the principal, to the faculty and staff. They have embraced technology in the classrooms where all teachers are working with Smart Boards, Document Cameras, Ipod Touches, among others. They embrace the whole child. The amount of afterschool programs for students in Kdg.thru 6th grade is impressive. They even offer a Summer School program on their campus. I'm a very pleased parent who is fortunate to be a part of the Burk Community.
—Submitted by a parent

I am surprised with all the criticism that the principle is getting and all the staff is getting as well. My daughter has been going there since preschool, she is now in 1st grade. My husband and I have LOVED the way the staff is so friendly here and easy to communicate with about our daughters daily activities. We will be moving over the summer into a new school district but I am so fond of the school and the staff that I will be driving out of my way to take her and her little brother, who will be started preschool, to Burk. This school only wants the best for their students, and it shows. :D
—Submitted by a parent

I must say I'm surprised from any of the negative reviews of Burk from 2006 to current. We ended up at Burk by accident. 2006 was the first year that free all day kindergarten was offered and Burk had the last spot avaiilable. I figured I'd move the next school year to what had been my first choice. However, once school began, I realized this was an amazing school and I was lucky my daughter was a student there. Everyone was so involved. The principal, teachers and parents...EVERYONE. I LOVE school. The principal has got to be the best principal any parent can ask for. He is always in front of the school greeting students and parents before school and is there saying goodbye at the end of each day. He (and his staff) have always been very helpful and pleasant. As far as programs for the "bright" kids...they DO exist. My daughter is in the ALP (Accelerated Learning Program) classes for math and language and is excelling! My son started at Burk this school year and I'm glad his first year is with this wonderful school. My ONLY regret is that we are moving out of state this summer and will no longer have the ability to be with these wonderful people. We will miss this school!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been at this school since preschool and now is in 6th grade. I am counting down until he starts junior high so that he can get out of this school. This principle is horrible. He doesn't know how to handle any issues that may arise. He has fired the amazing staff that he did have and replaced them with younger, inexperienced staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Burk is a wonderfully inclusive school! Students in special ed are more than 'tolerated.' They're appreciated and embraced by all they encounter at Burk. It's amazing!
—Submitted by a parent

we have such a variety of students from all sorts of backgrounds...the most fun and creative teaching I've ever seen
—Submitted by a teacher

My son started K at Burk Elementry and is now going into the 4th grade. My daughter is starting 1st this year. I am so SO pleased with everything about this school. Mr. Paes is in my opinion the best principal I have ever seen. He truly cares about each and every student. He is so involved with their learning and activities. The teachers are a blessing. Through the tough times with the kids, they showed their compassion and went above and beyond. I moved to North Mesa and continue to transport the kids there every day. I don t see me finding a school that I would be more (or even just as) happy with Burk Elementry!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is wonderful and the teachers are even better! The principal is wonderful and my kids have blossomed into wonderful students and they are also very attentive to the kids individual needs. I am only sorry that this school under the leadership of Mr Paes and the wonderful teachers do not go all the eay through high school. You guys do a wonderful job and I am so proud to be a parent of kids who go to Burk. I am truly blessed to have found such a wonderful school. Thank you, for all you do. Heather Galvan
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Burk for 5 years (which was the same year the new principal took over) and I have been extremely pleased! As a teacher myself (not in Gilbert), I believe the staff to be highly capable, supportive, and caring. It seems as if everyone there knows my child by name and the front office knows my voice over the telephone. A feeling of belongingness is the most important thing a child can receive in support of their educational environment. Give the principal a break... he's a nice guy and his heart is in the right place. But teachers that were happy under an ex-principal sometimes find it difficult to adjust to a new style and often this breeds negativity amongst the staff that can be highly contagious and detrimental to the school overall. I love Burk Elementary!
—Submitted by a parent

Burk has been a great school for my children. We have a great staff that love and care about each student. We have one of the lowest teacher to student ratio in the district. This is great for both the student and the teachers. What is not good about that?
—Submitted by a parent

No word can really describe how I feel about this school and staff, my children and our family loved it. We moved to florence and wish we never had, the school and staff and made it very hard to move, great person(s). They make you feel welcome and the children well cared for. Never had a problem leaving my children (safety) and the teacher go the extra mile, for all the children... Teacher provide after school activities ++++++++. Thank you for giving our children the pleasure of a great education.... We will always remember you...
—Submitted by J KELSEY, a parent

My son first attended burk in kindergarten and is now in 5th grade, he loves being a student at burk. I am disappointed by some of the reviews I have read; I disagree with the comments about leadership, teacher turnover and overall parent involvement. The principal came to burk several years ago and has made many changes for the better. As in any institution, change is difficult to accept, especially under new leadership; some choose to abandon ship instead of 'ride the wave'. The end result at burk has been teacher turnover. Guess what...We are reaping the benefits! The new teachers are motivated and excited! What a great way to increase morale and more importantly parent involvement! In short, the leadership, teaching staff and parent involvement at burk are far above 'average'! We all have 'bobcat' spirit!
—Submitted by a parent

I've had three of my children attend this scholl and have been very pleased with the faculty and staff. There has been a small turnover in teachers but some of this was due to retirements and grade level changes. This is a small, nieghborhood school; something that is getting rarer and rarer in our society today. If you like the Gilbert community for the small-town atmosphere, you'll like Burk. I think there are great teachers in every school but finding a small, friendly school is not easily done. Burk has all those qualities that make a school great.
—Submitted by Frank, a parent

Burk Elementary provides a nurturing and safe environment for students. The faculty and staff are personable and friendly. The principal recognizes the importance of knowing each child and shares lunch with each student at least once per year. The P.E. teacher and music teacher know every child's name and their siblings from years past.Burk has been a leader in the inclusion model for Special Education. Classroom teachers work hand in hand with Special Ed. teachers to include all children in classroom activities. Extra curricular activities have included the Reading Club, Chorus, and Fun Runs. The Burk Chess Team has earned state and national recognition for over a decade.Burk encourages community involvement. Events include Friends and Family Breakfast, Ice Cream Social, Concerts,Fall Barbecue and a Community Night to showcase class projects.Last Spring over 200 volunteers were invited to a Volunteer Luncheon. My family feels blessed to be part of the Bobcat family.
—Submitted by a parent

At least 15 teachers have left since the end of the school year. The school has added another full-day K teacher in hopes to attract more open enrollment students to feed the school in the future. Parent involvement is low, because the current administrator does not encourage parent involvement. This was my neighborhood school, but poor test scores, teacher turnover, and the principal forced me to find a better solution for my kids.
—Submitted by a parent

All three of my children have gone to Burk two of which are now in high school and one still attending in 3rd. Burk has always been a family orientiated school. All of my children have excelled one had learning difficulties and the other two are above average students. There have been many changes over the past few years however my kids love and loved going to school. This is a place where everyone is cared about--it might not be a royal academy of learning however there is more in life to learn than just academics which have seemed to have lost--all of the faculty help kids to embrace compassion,integrity,values and respect. This is a school where you are known by name and not just achievement or lack of. Staff moral has been lower since new principal but this has not changed the passion staff have for teaching and caring.
—Submitted by a parent