Burke?

[Anonymous]

DD got in to Burke for 9th grade but not sure it's a good fit. What is lit like? Is it full of rich kids or can a middle class kid survive without feeling like she has to buy new clothes all the time? What's the social climate like there?

[Anonymous]

My DD is a Burke student. For a private school, Burke has a wonderful socioeconomic mix and the student body as a whole seems to register low on the "status conscious" scale.

We think it is a great school. Good, dedicated teachers, strong academics and so many extra curricular options to choose from.

DD is very happy there.

[Anonymous]

It definitely does NOT have the "rich kid" vibe. Quirky, yes. Privileged? No.

[Anonymous]

Burke is very diverse economically, and the vibe is more urban that entitled. Your daughter is more likely to want to dye her hair an interesting color than to feel the need to constantly update her wardrobe!

[Anonymous]

Should be "more urban than entitled". Sorry

[Anonymous]

I am thinking of applying to Burke next year for my DS who is extremely intelligent with some mild developmental issues. My question is how structured the classes are because he does best in a structured setting. I have also heard that Burke has a disproportionate number of kids with drug problems. I have heard so many terrific things about the school that this isn't dissuading me, just wondering if current parents would weigh in.

For me, the purple hair and nose rings is a plus, just want to make sure the academic setting is right.

[Anonymous]

I concur with the comments above, especially in the high school. School events like the auction and school performances are low key, but well attended. Very low on the "entitlement" scale (for WDC at least!). Kids seem to hang out in groups that seem to vary depending on the day or the event -- so not always the same group that goes out to lunch (the open campus is a highlight for many students), plays sports etc. In high school a fair amount of mixing among the grades in classes and extracurriculars. Most kids in HS ride Metro/take the bus.

[Anonymous]

I don't think OP's DD will encounter anything she didn't encounter at her current school. Maybe some higher HHI's but look any child that goes to college is going to encounter that so why not get comfortable with it now.

[Anonymous]

OP, I was very reluctant to even consider sending my kid to private school but she really wanted to apply to Burke. I so wanted to find a reason to reject it but I believe in doing research and then deciding so I tried to keep an open mind. Long story short -- she loves it and we love it.

She is getting pushed harder by her teachers than at her former DCPS school. That's not saying much I know but I was worried (based on the feedback from a friend of mine who had attended Maret back in the day) that the school would coddle her and not hold her accountable. I haven't found that to be the case. There is a collaborative vibe to the kids' relationships with the teachers but it works to make dd want to excel and get her work done.

I also made assumptions that the parents would be very wealthy and felt somewhat defensive about that. I can't speak to people's income but I find people very open and welcoming and I'm a bit embarrassed that I made such assumptions. Dd doesn't feel like she has to buy new clothes all the time. She does wish we lived in a nicer house along the redline but she knows she can't have everything. But I don't get any sense that kids are lording it over one another with consumer goods.

As for the drugs, I can't really speak to that. I don't know how it compares to other schools.

Burke is definitely worth investigating. Talk to parents. Talk to faculty. Get as much info as you can. Good luck with your decision.

[Anonymous]

I have heard similar things about Burke. Good place!

[Anonymous]

Another Burke parent here. At least in the Middle School the structure is there, but flexible There is a set schedule (although it's confusing at first, with an 8-day rotation of different blocks), there are assignments (both short and long-term), the expectation is that you will do the homework and do it well. The teachers use a relatively collaborative approach, but are clearly in charge in the end. There is a bit of a tendency to give kids second chances, and third chances, and fourth chances, but it is not infinite, and the kids figure that out. They break assignments down into parts for the MS kids (similar to other schools), which helps them learn to structure themselves.

As for the drugs, my kid isn't there yet but I know a lot of older kids (and one of the beauties of Burke is that my DC knows a lot of older kids too, even in Middle School) and from what they say it is no worse (or better) than any school in this area. But they do all emphasize that, because there is such strong respect for the individual, a student who chooses not to drink or drug is not pressured or ostracized. I think that is pretty terrific!

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for all the info. Very helpfu.

[Anonymous]

But they do all emphasize that, because there is such strong respect for the individual, a student who chooses not to drink or drug is not pressured or ostracized. I think that is pretty terrific!

Isn't this backwards?