Edmund Burke

[Anonymous]

When I went to the Burke open house, I sat in a classroom with two Dads wearing worn, indie band T-shirts. When I went to the Field open house, I sat in a classroom with three Moms whose handbags cost more than my car. That says nothing about the academics, etc., it just gives you a sense of the vibe at Burke relative to some other private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering it for our DC and see/hear lots of positive things for Burke. Any major negatives that folks have had?

We are current MS parents. It is a very lovely school with many pros, but definite cons. They include: in our experience, not at all rigorous (except math, which is tracked); very limited physical space (both inside and out); athletics are terrible (perfectly fine if your kid is not sporty and just wants to play on a team). A significant percentage of the class is some combination of quirky/ weird / needs extra learning supports. The classes are very small. The college admissions aren’t terribly impressive.

Pros: if your child needs extra attention/ small environment; no cut sports; good arts program; great, down to earth parent community; racially diverse student body and faculty.

This is the same post repeated over and over on all the threads related to Burke. It's kind of sad this MS parent speaking so negatively about the school. It's obvious that the family is applying out.

Why is it sad? Are families not allowed to share their experiences with the school? By the way, I am not alone in my thoughts.

It's sad because the repetitive nature of your posts indicates that you have a grudge. Other parents may have similar thoughts but they are not repeating the same gripes over and over. Your posts identify who you are. (Yes, you have left enough of a trail to be identified.)

No grudge at all. Actually my child might stay next year despite the concerns because they like their friends and it’s an easy place to be. But I think it’s important to lift up the challenges, which don’t get said. Again, have I said anything incorrect? Don’t be defensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I went to the Burke open house, I sat in a classroom with two Dads wearing worn, indie band T-shirts. When I went to the Field open house, I sat in a classroom with three Moms whose handbags cost more than my car. That says nothing about the academics, etc., it just gives you a sense of the vibe at Burke relative to some other private schools.

This is very Burke. You can go whole conversations and not talk about “what do you do.”

[Anonymous]

One thing I love about Burke is that it has encouraged and propelled my high school kid to try new things. Just this year, they picked up two new instruments in one of their music classes. They also tried two new sports for the first time. And my kid just participated in the school musical (Mean Girls), which was fabulous! I love that in addition to the focus on challenging them educationally, students are encouraged to expand their horizons in other ways. They really have the formula down for stretching teens in a manner that is unique to Burke. It’s one of the things I most appreciate about the school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a great school. Like all schools, it will work for some and not others.

My kid is challenged academically by teachers who seem to genuinely like their jobs and the kids.

The arts are terrific. Art classes and band are well done and interesting. And theatre! If you didn't catch their production of the Mean Girls musical, you missed out. It was so good!

Socially, IMO, high school is better than middle school because of the larger class size. MS can be a bit lonely if you don't gel tightly with any of your small grade. And the MS seems sometimes overshadowed by the high schoolers' events.

Athletics vary by sport. My kid has gotten support and learned so much from 2 of his coaches in particular who are incredibly positive and great role models. The confidence he's gotten from meeting physical challenges are evident in his day-to-day life. He likes P.E. classes, too, because they vary and are a fun way to break up the long day.

I don't see as much of the quirkiness others love to go on and on about. There are quirky kids, sure. But there are quirky kids at every school. Maybe they stand out more at Burke because it is such a small school. And they don't get bullied or teased, which I think is lovely and rare and means that they can freely express themselves. From what I have seen, in my kid's grade anyway, there are more "Sephora kids" than quirky kids

And, lastly, I'll say that the kids at Burke don't reek of the same entitlement present at other private schools I am well acquainted with. They have more of a down to earth feel about them.

+1. Burke parent and I don’t see the “quirky” which is always mentioned in conjunction with Burke. My kid and their friends are not like that and yesterday I was watching a bunch of kids exit while dropping off, and again, did not see it! Also don’t see a lot of special needs kids, as is sometimes said.

Kid is first year at Burke and loves it. Chose over Field, which maybe I was more inclined to go with, but we’re all delighted with the school. Honestly nothing negative to say.

Prestigious? It’s not the word I would use to describe it, although it’s not “not” well-regarded by those in the know, I would think. College admissions to me look the same as most schools, and I would say the long list of Ivys from Sidwell, GDS etc are because of Legacy. If you take that out, for the average kid it’s likely pretty equal outcomes at Big 3, Burke, Field, and publics.

We sent our child for the smaller classes and to get out of the DCPS mess we had with our older kid from the post- Covid environment. I fear greatly for older kid navigating academics in college, despite very good outcome of acceptance to her preferred school

[Anonymous]

Why is everyone equating "quirky" with special needs? That's not how I define it. I'm quirky and was Phi Beta Kappa at HYPSM. To me, quirky is a little alternative and/or marches to the beat of a different drummer-kind of person. And "prestige" is very overrated. I know several incredibly successful adults who did not attend well-regarded universities for financial and/or other family-related reasons. Just because one attends a prestigious institution does not ipso facto equate to long-term professional and personal success or happiness. And, honestly, in my experience, many of my employees who graduated from T20 schools are entitled and pretentious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone equating "quirky" with special needs? That's not how I define it. I'm quirky and was Phi Beta Kappa at HYPSM. To me, quirky is a little alternative and/or marches to the beat of a different drummer-kind of person. And "prestige" is very overrated. I know several incredibly successful adults who did not attend well-regarded universities for financial and/or other family-related reasons. Just because one attends a prestigious institution does not ipso facto equate to long-term professional and personal success or happiness. And, honestly, in my experience, many of my employees who graduated from T20 schools are entitled and pretentious.

Quirky has become a euphemism for neuro-divergent, and in particular, ASD. There's a stigma associated with ASD, so parents often describe their ASD kids as quirky. It's meant to distinguish ASD kids who are socially awkward (and perhaps non-conformist) from kids who can't make eye contact or function in a mainstream school. It's a reaction to the many posters on DCUM who assume all ASD kids need to go to ASD schools without having ever even met an ASD kid. The problem with the terminology is that if someone writes "X school" has quirky kids, some will assume that it's a "special needs" school (i.e., a school specifically designed to serve kids who need significant academic and social support) even though the school might be a "mainstream" school with a mix of NT and ND kids. Bottom line: If people weren't so quick to make assumptions about ND kids without ever meeting them, "quirky" could get its meaning back (which is your interpretation of the word).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone equating "quirky" with special needs? That's not how I define it. I'm quirky and was Phi Beta Kappa at HYPSM. To me, quirky is a little alternative and/or marches to the beat of a different drummer-kind of person. And "prestige" is very overrated. I know several incredibly successful adults who did not attend well-regarded universities for financial and/or other family-related reasons. Just because one attends a prestigious institution does not ipso facto equate to long-term professional and personal success or happiness. And, honestly, in my experience, many of my employees who graduated from T20 schools are entitled and pretentious.

Quirky has become a euphemism for neuro-divergent, and in particular, ASD. There's a stigma associated with ASD, so parents often describe their ASD kids as quirky. It's meant to distinguish ASD kids who are socially awkward (and perhaps non-conformist) from kids who can't make eye contact or function in a mainstream school. It's a reaction to the many posters on DCUM who assume all ASD kids need to go to ASD schools without having ever even met an ASD kid. The problem with the terminology is that if someone writes "X school" has quirky kids, some will assume that it's a "special needs" school (i.e., a school specifically designed to serve kids who need significant academic and social support) even though the school might be a "mainstream" school with a mix of NT and ND kids. Bottom line: If people weren't so quick to make assumptions about ND kids without ever meeting them, "quirky" could get its meaning back (which is your interpretation of the word).

Burke parents mean non-conformist, not autistic, when they say quirky. Jeez Louise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry, no. It’s a well loved “school for quirky kids” by the parents’ own words

What doe "quirky" mean?

Children who are mostly not conventional strivers.

Does this mean stupid???

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone equating "quirky" with special needs? That's not how I define it. I'm quirky and was Phi Beta Kappa at HYPSM. To me, quirky is a little alternative and/or marches to the beat of a different drummer-kind of person. And "prestige" is very overrated. I know several incredibly successful adults who did not attend well-regarded universities for financial and/or other family-related reasons. Just because one attends a prestigious institution does not ipso facto equate to long-term professional and personal success or happiness. And, honestly, in my experience, many of my employees who graduated from T20 schools are entitled and pretentious.

100% this about Burke - accurate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone equating "quirky" with special needs? That's not how I define it. I'm quirky and was Phi Beta Kappa at HYPSM. To me, quirky is a little alternative and/or marches to the beat of a different drummer-kind of person. And "prestige" is very overrated. I know several incredibly successful adults who did not attend well-regarded universities for financial and/or other family-related reasons. Just because one attends a prestigious institution does not ipso facto equate to long-term professional and personal success or happiness. And, honestly, in my experience, many of my employees who graduated from T20 schools are entitled and pretentious.

Quirky has become a euphemism for neuro-divergent, and in particular, ASD. There's a stigma associated with ASD, so parents often describe their ASD kids as quirky. It's meant to distinguish ASD kids who are socially awkward (and perhaps non-conformist) from kids who can't make eye contact or function in a mainstream school. It's a reaction to the many posters on DCUM who assume all ASD kids need to go to ASD schools without having ever even met an ASD kid. The problem with the terminology is that if someone writes "X school" has quirky kids, some will assume that it's a "special needs" school (i.e., a school specifically designed to serve kids who need significant academic and social support) even though the school might be a "mainstream" school with a mix of NT and ND kids. Bottom line: If people weren't so quick to make assumptions about ND kids without ever meeting them, "quirky" could get its meaning back (which is your interpretation of the word).

Burke parents mean non-conformist, not autistic, when they say quirky. Jeez Louise

Burke parents don’t call the Burke kids quirky. And DCUMs who use that word are attempting to insult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry, no. It’s a well loved “school for quirky kids” by the parents’ own words

What doe "quirky" mean?

Children who are mostly not conventional strivers.

Does this mean stupid???

It means they rejected your kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing I love about Burke is that it has encouraged and propelled my high school kid to try new things. Just this year, they picked up two new instruments in one of their music classes. They also tried two new sports for the first time. And my kid just participated in the school musical (Mean Girls), which was fabulous! I love that in addition to the focus on challenging them educationally, students are encouraged to expand their horizons in other ways. They really have the formula down for stretching teens in a manner that is unique to Burke. It’s one of the things I most appreciate about the school!

My kid is also at Burke, but in MS.
Mean Girls was SO GOOD! Congrats to your kid for being part of something so fun and fabulous. What a great show. Our family thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing I love about Burke is that it has encouraged and propelled my high school kid to try new things. Just this year, they picked up two new instruments in one of their music classes. They also tried two new sports for the first time. And my kid just participated in the school musical (Mean Girls), which was fabulous! I love that in addition to the focus on challenging them educationally, students are encouraged to expand their horizons in other ways. They really have the formula down for stretching teens in a manner that is unique to Burke. It’s one of the things I most appreciate about the school!

My kid is also at Burke, but in MS.
Mean Girls was SO GOOD! Congrats to your kid for being part of something so fun and fabulous. What a great show. Our family thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

Are there lots of non-quirky kids there in your experience?