Edmund Burke

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Wait until your DD apply out for HS. Please do not assume you are correct and speak for all parents. The incessant complaints and negativity on this forum will not "lift up the challenges." You are only seeking validation for your decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Wait until your DD apply out for HS. Please do not assume you are correct and speak for all parents. The incessant complaints and negativity on this forum will not "lift up the challenges." You are only seeking validation for your decisions.

Who said I spoke for all parents?? I’m sharing my own experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you care about prestige, it's not the school for you.

What if you care about Prestige Worldwide?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you care about prestige, it's not the school for you.

What if you care about Prestige Worldwide?

Boats and Hoes, Boats and Hoes

[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!

Current MS parent. This was so well said. They really have perfected their approach to educating teens. And the academics, I think, are wonderful and encourage critical thinking. I’m one of those parents that at all the fussiness and competition in the DC area. I kinda just want my kids to experience all the cool things life has to offer. Burke is one of those things!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New to Burke this year and my child absolutely loves it. He LOVES middle school. How rare is this? He is free to try new things and to be himself. He like the kids in his class and the school does an incredible job at truly teaching social skills and sex Ed (he has learned so much about healthy relationships consent and boundaries). We turned down a big 3 school for Burke bc our child loved it during the tour and shadow day. Best choice we ever made. He is excited for school, challenged and makes great friends. There are some cliques and bullying/meanness but the faculty was incredibly thoughtful in handling these situations from what I have heard. My wife and I went to pressure cooker private schools and Burke is a gem. I wish I could trade my years at Sidwell for a Burke experience

I also went to Sidwell and I am also so glad my kids got to go to Burke. We have been parents there for many years and are so glad to be part of the community. The school has been great for both our kids.

Fun fact - there are several teachers are Burke who are Sidwell alums.

[Anonymous]

Another Burke middle school parent here. Rather than saying quirky, I would say that Burke values kids being authentic and being themselves. Obviously cliques and bullying/meanness happens w all middle schoolers because their brains are not fully formed. At Burke the faculty and student advisors have done a really good job at helping kids navigate though these issues. Our child actually loves school and feels challenged in classes. The culture of the school is very welcoming and accepting and kids are really encouraged to be self sufficient and are academically challenged. Our child doesn’t care about sports and is artistic with a strong interest in math and science academically. The work they have been doing this year was very advanced and they get to do art studio (pottery) afterschool several times a week included in the tuition. It’s been a home run for our family. We really love it but if you are interested in prestige and lots of academic pressure it’s not for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Yes. Lots of non-quirky.

Note: I don’t equate “quirky” to stigmatize a kid with learning (or other) differences or ADHD; I mean the kids that - by outward appearances - are visibly enjoying marching to the beat of their own drum.

I’d say, percentage wise, the amount of non-quirky to quirky is not that much different than most schools. But at Burke kids don’t seem to be teased and/or pushed to attempt to conform by other kids, coaches, or teachers, which may make the “quirky” kids more noticeable — they don’t hide or feel like they must keep to the corners. And I love that — all of the kids are free to be themselves and all groups seem to mix well together. My kid is somewhere in the middle, fwiw, and is comfortable being there and having friends of all kinds and ages.

I’d say that’s largely true but let’s not pretend it’s a utopia without cliques or mean kids. My child’s grade has both for sure. (They have not been the subject of or involved in any bullying incidents, but I have heard of some incidents.)

I'm really sorry to hear this.

My kid hasn't mentioned anything and I haven't head anything from the parents that I know (which, I'll admit, is not that many).

I hope the school is handling things well?

Our friends' DC started this year in US and has had a terrible time; says kids are cliquey and insincere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New to Burke this year and my child absolutely loves it. He LOVES middle school. How rare is this? He is free to try new things and to be himself. He like the kids in his class and the school does an incredible job at truly teaching social skills and sex Ed (he has learned so much about healthy relationships consent and boundaries). We turned down a big 3 school for Burke bc our child loved it during the tour and shadow day. Best choice we ever made. He is excited for school, challenged and makes great friends. There are some cliques and bullying/meanness but the faculty was incredibly thoughtful in handling these situations from what I have heard. My wife and I went to pressure cooker private schools and Burke is a gem. I wish I could trade my years at Sidwell for a Burke experience

I also went to Sidwell and I am also so glad my kids got to go to Burke. We have been parents there for many years and are so glad to be part of the community. The school has been great for both our kids.

Fun fact - there are several teachers are Burke who are Sidwell alums.

Most parents with kids at Big 3 and Burke seem to prefer Burke. I met someone with a child who went to Sidwell, transferred to Burke, and graduated from Burke. According to this person, Burke was a huge improvement socially. The child then went to a selective college (college admissions results basically the same as for friends from Sidwell).

[Anonymous]

Where do high performing kids at Burke go to college? Like if you are in the top 5% of the class? Trying to decide whether to do Burke or go public (DCPS).

[Anonymous]

In recent years, top students from Burke have attended Georgetown, NEU, USC, UCLA, UC-Davis, and CMU. Plenty of strong SLACS as well, including Smith, Oberlin, Vassar and Wellesley.

More detailed college placement lists can be found here by class:

https://www.burkeschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-counseling-at-burke

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New to Burke this year and my child absolutely loves it. He LOVES middle school. How rare is this? He is free to try new things and to be himself. He like the kids in his class and the school does an incredible job at truly teaching social skills and sex Ed (he has learned so much about healthy relationships consent and boundaries). We turned down a big 3 school for Burke bc our child loved it during the tour and shadow day. Best choice we ever made. He is excited for school, challenged and makes great friends. There are some cliques and bullying/meanness but the faculty was incredibly thoughtful in handling these situations from what I have heard. My wife and I went to pressure cooker private schools and Burke is a gem. I wish I could trade my years at Sidwell for a Burke experience

I also went to Sidwell and I am also so glad my kids got to go to Burke. We have been parents there for many years and are so glad to be part of the community. The school has been great for both our kids.

Fun fact - there are several teachers are Burke who are Sidwell alums.

Most parents with kids at Big 3 and Burke seem to prefer Burke. I met someone with a child who went to Sidwell, transferred to Burke, and graduated from Burke. According to this person, Burke was a huge improvement socially. The child then went to a selective college (college admissions results basically the same as for friends from Sidwell).

Burke and Sidwell do not have similar college admissions results. Take a look at their Instagram accounts—night and day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New to Burke this year and my child absolutely loves it. He LOVES middle school. How rare is this? He is free to try new things and to be himself. He like the kids in his class and the school does an incredible job at truly teaching social skills and sex Ed (he has learned so much about healthy relationships consent and boundaries). We turned down a big 3 school for Burke bc our child loved it during the tour and shadow day. Best choice we ever made. He is excited for school, challenged and makes great friends. There are some cliques and bullying/meanness but the faculty was incredibly thoughtful in handling these situations from what I have heard. My wife and I went to pressure cooker private schools and Burke is a gem. I wish I could trade my years at Sidwell for a Burke experience

I also went to Sidwell and I am also so glad my kids got to go to Burke. We have been parents there for many years and are so glad to be part of the community. The school has been great for both our kids.

Fun fact - there are several teachers are Burke who are Sidwell alums.

Most parents with kids at Big 3 and Burke seem to prefer Burke. I met someone with a child who went to Sidwell, transferred to Burke, and graduated from Burke. According to this person, Burke was a huge improvement socially. The child then went to a selective college (college admissions results basically the same as for friends from Sidwell).

Burke and Sidwell do not have similar college admissions results. Take a look at their Instagram accounts—night and day.

It’s better to look at Burke’s college admissions list on its website. Only one c/o 2023 student was admitted to an Ivy (Cornell).

https://www.burkeschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-counseling-at-burke#

Burke may offer a kinder, gentler high school experience than Sidwell, but the college admissions results are not even close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New to Burke this year and my child absolutely loves it. He LOVES middle school. How rare is this? He is free to try new things and to be himself. He like the kids in his class and the school does an incredible job at truly teaching social skills and sex Ed (he has learned so much about healthy relationships consent and boundaries). We turned down a big 3 school for Burke bc our child loved it during the tour and shadow day. Best choice we ever made. He is excited for school, challenged and makes great friends. There are some cliques and bullying/meanness but the faculty was incredibly thoughtful in handling these situations from what I have heard. My wife and I went to pressure cooker private schools and Burke is a gem. I wish I could trade my years at Sidwell for a Burke experience

I also went to Sidwell and I am also so glad my kids got to go to Burke. We have been parents there for many years and are so glad to be part of the community. The school has been great for both our kids.

Fun fact - there are several teachers are Burke who are Sidwell alums.

Most parents with kids at Big 3 and Burke seem to prefer Burke. I met someone with a child who went to Sidwell, transferred to Burke, and graduated from Burke. According to this person, Burke was a huge improvement socially. The child then went to a selective college (college admissions results basically the same as for friends from Sidwell).

Burke and Sidwell do not have similar college admissions results. Take a look at their Instagram accounts—night and day.

It’s better to look at Burke’s college admissions list on its website. Only one c/o 2023 student was admitted to an Ivy (Cornell).

https://www.burkeschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-counseling-at-burke#

Burke may offer a kinder, gentler high school experience than Sidwell, but the college admissions results are not even close.

+1 And for many parents that is just fine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New to Burke this year and my child absolutely loves it. He LOVES middle school. How rare is this? He is free to try new things and to be himself. He like the kids in his class and the school does an incredible job at truly teaching social skills and sex Ed (he has learned so much about healthy relationships consent and boundaries). We turned down a big 3 school for Burke bc our child loved it during the tour and shadow day. Best choice we ever made. He is excited for school, challenged and makes great friends. There are some cliques and bullying/meanness but the faculty was incredibly thoughtful in handling these situations from what I have heard. My wife and I went to pressure cooker private schools and Burke is a gem. I wish I could trade my years at Sidwell for a Burke experience

I also went to Sidwell and I am also so glad my kids got to go to Burke. We have been parents there for many years and are so glad to be part of the community. The school has been great for both our kids.

Fun fact - there are several teachers are Burke who are Sidwell alums.

Most parents with kids at Big 3 and Burke seem to prefer Burke. I met someone with a child who went to Sidwell, transferred to Burke, and graduated from Burke. According to this person, Burke was a huge improvement socially. The child then went to a selective college (college admissions results basically the same as for friends from Sidwell).

Burke and Sidwell do not have similar college admissions results. Take a look at their Instagram accounts—night and day.

It’s better to look at Burke’s college admissions list on its website. Only one c/o 2023 student was admitted to an Ivy (Cornell).

https://www.burkeschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-counseling-at-burke#

Burke may offer a kinder, gentler high school experience than Sidwell, but the college admissions results are not even close.

+1 And for many parents that is just fine!

Good. It’s important to know what you’re getting when you send your child to Burke.
A less rigorous academic experience that embraces a wider range of students? Check. An academic environment and curriculum that will help make your child competitive for Ivy+/T25 colleges? Possibly, but probably not.