Edmund Burke School feedback

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Overall we like Burke very much. We actually prefer it to Big 3. Yes, Big 3 was an option for us. Burke is a very warm and friendly place with diverse students and attentive teachers. It's less intense academically and socially than Big 3.

I don't know whether Burke is going to offer any distance learning options, but I'm sure the admissions staff will be happy to answer your questions. Over the past year, Burke did a pretty good job. Satisfying all Burke parents was not an attainable goal since some parents wanted to go back to in-person learning asap while others pretty much never want to go back until the pandemic ends. My impression is that Burke was a little slower about going back than most other DC area private schools.

Burke put a lot of thought into how to do distance learning. Many year-long courses ended up being taught in a single semester, with students taking a reduced course load to make up for the fact that the amount of nightly homework was double what it normally would have been. My kid remained engaged throughout the year but was much happier when in-person learning resumed.

Thank you! It sounds like a super nice school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How has Burke fared during pandemic with virtual/ hybrid learning? Are they requiring all eligible students be immunized in order to only offer in person school next school year, like Field?
Thanks in advance!

Look on the school website or call and ask if you really want to know. Can’t compare CoVID protocols between Field and Burke because they are in different jurisdictions. DC private schools have to follow OSSE guidelines. Things are much looser in VA and MD.

Obviously i have done that. What schools say on their web sites and lived out realities are not always in alignment.

Both schools are in DC and i was hoping to hear from current EB parents … have already heard from Field parents i know in real life (sounds like a great school but the lack of virtual options next school year as the pandemic is ongoing gives us pause.

If things get worse I can see schools pivoting back to virtual, but I would be surprised if any school, especially a school as small as Burke and Field, offer virtual options. Concurrent teaching is terrible for everyone. If you want a virtual school for this coming year, choose a school that has always been online.

And are you applying for the school year that is about to begin? You aren't going to have many options this late in the game.

Would really appreciate feedback from EB parents on how well they feel the school navigated and is navigating pandemic realities.

PP thanks for your response but this search process is for fall 2022. DC current school did an amazing job with pandemic and hybrid/ virtual options but there are other reasons DC wants to explore other options. I just do not want to sacrifice too much in terms of quality flexibility in education - but do want DC to be happy. This would be only one consideration of many. Thanks!

We were new to Burke HS for 2010-21. Virtual was handled as well as could be expected. We were very pleased with the rigor of the academics and engagement of the teachers. Communication from HoS regarding expectations (quarantine, testing, etc.) was handled well through periodic town halls, emails and off-line one-on-one discussions. The same can be said for communication regarding return to hybrid virtual/in-person that started in November 2020. Quarantine was mandated after winter and spring break, as was a negative PCR before return to school.

One issue of concern is that we did not have a great virtual advisory experience. They did their best however to find out answers to our questions promptly. Still, it was a bit of a sink-or-swim in terms of trying to figure out how things worked (or were supposed to work). The school made a few attempts to get grade level students together outside the virtual academic setting but we found them not particularly helpful. It appears the school may have believed similarly, as it is offering three days of in-person orientation this year for 9th and 10th grades, with the opportunity to meet in advisory and class-wide groups.

To the best of our knowledge, Burke HS had no reported positive cases and utilized bi-weekly pooled testing once in-person resumed. The school is requiring vaccinations for students the 2021-22 sy (unclear on whether there are any who claim religious or medical exemptions) and, although not yet confirmed, it has been implied that all faculty and staff will be vaccinated. And hopefully there will be options for this year wrt “mask breaks” that don’t require students to be standing around outside in freezing weather.

The HoS has emphasized that he does not intend to offer virtual as an option this year, even for quarantined cohorts, but recognizes that a switch could be necessitated by OSSE or other circumstances beyond the control of the school. The school believes it can support students through the online portal with assignments in a manner similar to those who miss school die to illness or travel. That said, I suspect that this messaging was more to set a tone in terms of tampering expectations that virtual will be an option for those who would prefer that, but externalities could change this as circumstances arise.

Masking is required on campus and on bus transportation as is three feet of distancing. We can follow up with

[Anonymous]

^^^ tamping

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How has Burke fared during pandemic with virtual/ hybrid learning? Are they requiring all eligible students be immunized in order to only offer in person school next school year, like Field?
Thanks in advance!

Look on the school website or call and ask if you really want to know. Can’t compare CoVID protocols between Field and Burke because they are in different jurisdictions. DC private schools have to follow OSSE guidelines. Things are much looser in VA and MD.

Obviously i have done that. What schools say on their web sites and lived out realities are not always in alignment.

Both schools are in DC and i was hoping to hear from current EB parents … have already heard from Field parents i know in real life (sounds like a great school but the lack of virtual options next school year as the pandemic is ongoing gives us pause.

If things get worse I can see schools pivoting back to virtual, but I would be surprised if any school, especially a school as small as Burke and Field, offer virtual options. Concurrent teaching is terrible for everyone. If you want a virtual school for this coming year, choose a school that has always been online.

And are you applying for the school year that is about to begin? You aren't going to have many options this late in the game.

Would really appreciate feedback from EB parents on how well they feel the school navigated and is navigating pandemic realities.

PP thanks for your response but this search process is for fall 2022. DC current school did an amazing job with pandemic and hybrid/ virtual options but there are other reasons DC wants to explore other options. I just do not want to sacrifice too much in terms of quality flexibility in education - but do want DC to be happy. This would be only one consideration of many. Thanks!

We were new to Burke HS for 2010-21. Virtual was handled as well as could be expected. We were very pleased with the rigor of the academics and engagement of the teachers. Communication from HoS regarding expectations (quarantine, testing, etc.) was handled well through periodic town halls, emails and off-line one-on-one discussions. The same can be said for communication regarding return to hybrid virtual/in-person that started in November 2020. Quarantine was mandated after winter and spring break, as was a negative PCR before return to school.

One issue of concern is that we did not have a great virtual advisory experience. They did their best however to find out answers to our questions promptly. Still, it was a bit of a sink-or-swim in terms of trying to figure out how things worked (or were supposed to work). The school made a few attempts to get grade level students together outside the virtual academic setting but we found them not particularly helpful. It appears the school may have believed similarly, as it is offering three days of in-person orientation this year for 9th and 10th grades, with the opportunity to meet in advisory and class-wide groups.

To the best of our knowledge, Burke HS had no reported positive cases and utilized bi-weekly pooled testing once in-person resumed. The school is requiring vaccinations for students the 2021-22 sy (unclear on whether there are any who claim religious or medical exemptions) and, although not yet confirmed, it has been implied that all faculty and staff will be vaccinated. And hopefully there will be options for this year wrt “mask breaks” that don’t require students to be standing around outside in freezing weather.

The HoS has emphasized that he does not intend to offer virtual as an option this year, even for quarantined cohorts, but recognizes that a switch could be necessitated by OSSE or other circumstances beyond the control of the school. The school believes it can support students through the online portal with assignments in a manner similar to those who miss school die to illness or travel. That said, I suspect that this messaging was more to set a tone in terms of tampering expectations that virtual will be an option for those who would prefer that, but externalities could change this as circumstances arise.

Masking is required on campus and on bus transportation as is three feet of distancing. We can follow up with

I think you are confusing advisory with full grade activities. Did you want advisories to meet on campus even during virtual learning last year? Kids at other schools complained that they ONLY saw kids from their advisory . You don’t sound very grateful that teachers put themselves at risk to provide in person full grade activities for your little snowflake.

[Anonymous]

Also, what faculty and staff do you think are willing to put their lives on the line for your snowflake to have a mask break indoors?!? Every piece of science shows this is a bad idea. Sounds like you need to homeschool if your kid can’t put on a heavy coat in order to take off their mask outdoors.

[Anonymous]

I love Burke. Special school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, what faculty and staff do you think are willing to put their lives on the line for your snowflake to have a mask break indoors?!? Every piece of science shows this is a bad idea. Sounds like you need to homeschool if your kid can’t put on a heavy coat in order to take off their mask outdoors.

Why the nastiness? Chill out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, what faculty and staff do you think are willing to put their lives on the line for your snowflake to have a mask break indoors?!? Every piece of science shows this is a bad idea. Sounds like you need to homeschool if your kid can’t put on a heavy coat in order to take off their mask outdoors.

Bless your heart.

[Anonymous]

Burke most definitely has cliques, and most definitely has bullying, including towards queer and neurodivergent people. It was great for me in many ways, but also very toxic in many others

[Anonymous]

There is a huge contagion factor with mental health - i.e. self-harm, eating disorders, and lots of gender identity confusion. This is not to say kids aren't struggling with the above issues but rather something they could encounter with high frequency at the school. I would proceed with caution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a huge contagion factor with mental health - i.e. self-harm, eating disorders, and lots of gender identity confusion. This is not to say kids aren't struggling with the above issues but rather something they could encounter with high frequency at the school. I would proceed with caution.

I have two at Burke, one at SAES - your statement is absolutely FALSE. Kids everywhere are struggling with all kinds of mental health issues. Anecdotally, I know my kids have struggled, many of their school friends and neighborhood friends who attend different schools (public and private) have struggled. And yes, it's scary stuff - ED, self-harm, depression, anxiety. And Burke had a school shooting a year ago, which traumatized the entire community.

The school is supportive, warm, inclusive, and holds space for kids who need it now more than ever.

And not sure why you are lumping-in 'gender identity confusion' (whatever that means) with 'self-harm' and 'EDs' unless of course you don't support or affirm LGBTQ+ kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a huge contagion factor with mental health - i.e. self-harm, eating disorders, and lots of gender identity confusion. This is not to say kids aren't struggling with the above issues but rather something they could encounter with high frequency at the school. I would proceed with caution.

I have worried about this too. I am very interested in Burke as well as other 'quirky' high schools for my teen, but have always had the sense that the mental health issues are far more severe at these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a huge contagion factor with mental health - i.e. self-harm, eating disorders, and lots of gender identity confusion. This is not to say kids aren't struggling with the above issues but rather something they could encounter with high frequency at the school. I would proceed with caution.

I have two at Burke, one at SAES - your statement is absolutely FALSE. Kids everywhere are struggling with all kinds of mental health issues. Anecdotally, I know my kids have struggled, many of their school friends and neighborhood friends who attend different schools (public and private) have struggled. And yes, it's scary stuff - ED, self-harm, depression, anxiety. And Burke had a school shooting a year ago, which traumatized the entire community.

The school is supportive, warm, inclusive, and holds space for kids who need it now more than ever.

And not sure why you are lumping-in 'gender identity confusion' (whatever that means) with 'self-harm' and 'EDs' unless of course you don't support or affirm LGBTQ+ kids.

As a Burke family, I wholeheartedly agree with this commentary. A very real trauma impacted the entire community and they have done a noble job supporting the students thoughtfully and with true care and compassion. I know at least one student (probably not the only one though) that had to withdraw from school and transfer elsewhere because the PTSD was too severe. Shame on posters trying to claim there is some weird contagion issue going on at Burke with “quirky” LGBTQ kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Burke most definitely has cliques, and most definitely has bullying, including towards queer and neurodivergent people. It was great for me in many ways, but also very toxic in many others

When was this? Doesn’t sound at all like Burke right now. Why revive an old thread when there are plenty of current threads about this school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a huge contagion factor with mental health - i.e. self-harm, eating disorders, and lots of gender identity confusion. This is not to say kids aren't struggling with the above issues but rather something they could encounter with high frequency at the school. I would proceed with caution.

I have worried about this too. I am very interested in Burke as well as other 'quirky' high schools for my teen, but have always had the sense that the mental health issues are far more severe at these schools.

At “these schools”? What does that even mean? Do you mean progressive schools? Schools that experienced gun violence? Private schools? Please clarify