Edmund Burke School

A great place for high academic standards AND development of a student's personal/individual potential. A wonderful balance between intellectual discipline and exploratory freedom.
—Submitted by a parent

Burke allows a student to be him/her self. They allow ones strengths to flourish while developing any weaknesses. Burke does not generalize , they work individually with the person you are or strive to become. Burke builds confidence and self assurance in all students.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is so small that friend options are very limeted. If you are not liked, you are teased by everyone

Burke is a terrific school that looks at each student as an individual. We have two students who graduated from Burke who were very different from each other academically, socially, and temperamentally. Each thrived because each was given what she needed to succeed. Both were well prepared for college and graduate school and continue to visit their teachers when they are in DC
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent at the Edmund Burke School for several years and believe that it is a special place that provides a uniquely strong and supportive education to middle and high school kids. What you find when you visit Burke is a school that approaches students as individuals who can achieve great things when provided an education that is challenging, creative, caring and fun. You'll also find a very strong and welcoming community made up of talented and involved teachers, staff, parents, students and alums. You'll also see that Burke's respect for the individual both welcomes and challenges every student from many different walks of life to learn how to advocate for themselves, actively pursue their interests, reach to do their best, and to act to help others inside and outside the 4 walls of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Having had kids attend Burke over the past 10 years, we've found it to be an excellent school for middle and high school kids of all types and learning styles because it: * approaches students as individuals who can achieve great things when provided an education that is challenging, creative, caring and fun. * has a very strong and welcoming community made up of talented and involved teachers, staff, parents, students and alums. * promotes a respect for the individual that both welcomes and challenges every student from many different walks of life to learn how to advocate for themselves, actively pursue their interests, reach to do their best, and act to help others inside and outside the 4 walls of the school. To see the breadth and depth of the Burke learning/community experience take a look at www.burkeword.com
—Submitted by a parent

Visit Burke and see yourself: the students are articulate, poised, creative, clever, courteous, accomplished and happy! My daughter LOVES this school, and despite not being the most academically inclined child, has pushed herself to make the honor roll because she is inspired by her teachers and peers. It's challenging (check out all the AP classes and where the graduates go to college) yet nurturing and focused on developing children's characters as well as their minds. Truly a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

Could not be more pleased. We are in our second year at Burke, and are extremely pleased. The school has embraced our child for who he is, let him thrive on his terms. The staff truly look after each individual child and are open to helping/letting a child learn the way they learn best.
—Submitted by a parent

Complete waste of money. Middle school is a total mess. Highly disorganized environment, weak academics, very permissive culture, zero leadership and sloppy management. Art and music are good but not enough to save a sinking ship.
—Submitted by a parent

Burke staff is friendly and nice. However, I would state that when choosing schools consider the whole picture the social scene, the atmosphere and the environment. Yes, Burke prepares the students for college, that is one aspect but there is more to life than just preparation for college.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with most of the statements, however I love Burke. I clearly made the right choice. The environment here is much better than any other school I've attended and you really get close with your teachers unlike at other schools.
—Submitted by a student

In response to above, the quality of Burke's academic programs grows every year, with many Advanced Placement/higher level classes offered in high school. However, Burke is NOT a school completely focused on 'rigorous academics'. The classes are challenging but fun, interesting, insightful, and DIFFERENT. There is a lot of discussion instead of lecture, and it is all very student-propelled. Besides the classes, students enjoy many extra curriculars, including the art and music programs, as well as positive sports teams that really encourage teamwork and comraderie. The thing that surprised me about Burke was the capability of the teachers and students to work together so cohesively and positively, and that the curriculum was strong as well as actually teaching the kids something. At Burke your child will not learn to 'memorize'; they will learn to think for themselves.
—Submitted by F. S., a parent

this is a great middle school but I do not think that it is the right place to send your child for high school. the academics are not horrible bu tthey are not phenominal either. The music and arts programs are great. There are plenty of sports programs.
—Submitted by a parent

This was a wonderful place: I blossomed as a student and now serve as an active alum. The school provides a diverse and fostering envrionment and is attuned to each student's needs--no matter how non-traditional the way to solve them might be.
—Submitted by Julie Bindeman, a former student