Anonymous
Post 08/18/2024 15:44     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
Parent of recent Burke students (not current). One liked it and one loved it. Both appreciated the teachers, the extracurricular opportunities, and the camaraderie. One had a a couple of mean kids in the grade and that negatively impacted the experience of many kids in that grade. From what I could see, most kids and parents are huge fans.
Anonymous
Post 08/16/2024 10:37     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. Wondering if any of the 3 PPs had their kids there in MS? Mine is there now, and we are debating best route for HS.

DC doesn't like the small size because it severely limits social opportunities, but I remain hopeful that the HS class size doubling would be helpful.


NP. Our kid was a lifer at Sheridan, so one class per grade. When it came time to apply for high school, we (parents) had Burke at the top of our list, but our kid knew that he wanted bigger and chose a school with 90-100 per grade. The size definitely helps for social opportunities, and he found a nice circle of friends. That could have happened with a class size of 60 at Burke, but we will never know. I really do think it is cohort dependent, and there is no way of knowing that in advance.


+1. I don't think 60 is that different from 80-90, in terms of how it feels on a daily basis. And once you move into the high school division, there is a lot of intermingling among the grades. In math, foreign language, arts, etc., you're going to have people from the grades above and below with you too, so the social "pool" is going to expand in multiple ways.


Thanks! That is all helpful and definitely good to keep in mind. All of this always feels like such a big decision
Anonymous
Post 08/16/2024 10:19     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. Wondering if any of the 3 PPs had their kids there in MS? Mine is there now, and we are debating best route for HS.

DC doesn't like the small size because it severely limits social opportunities, but I remain hopeful that the HS class size doubling would be helpful.


NP. Our kid was a lifer at Sheridan, so one class per grade. When it came time to apply for high school, we (parents) had Burke at the top of our list, but our kid knew that he wanted bigger and chose a school with 90-100 per grade. The size definitely helps for social opportunities, and he found a nice circle of friends. That could have happened with a class size of 60 at Burke, but we will never know. I really do think it is cohort dependent, and there is no way of knowing that in advance.


+1. I don't think 60 is that different from 80-90, in terms of how it feels on a daily basis. And once you move into the high school division, there is a lot of intermingling among the grades. In math, foreign language, arts, etc., you're going to have people from the grades above and below with you too, so the social "pool" is going to expand in multiple ways.
Anonymous
Post 08/16/2024 09:09     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. Wondering if any of the 3 PPs had their kids there in MS? Mine is there now, and we are debating best route for HS.

DC doesn't like the small size because it severely limits social opportunities, but I remain hopeful that the HS class size doubling would be helpful.


NP. Our kid was a lifer at Sheridan, so one class per grade. When it came time to apply for high school, we (parents) had Burke at the top of our list, but our kid knew that he wanted bigger and chose a school with 90-100 per grade. The size definitely helps for social opportunities, and he found a nice circle of friends. That could have happened with a class size of 60 at Burke, but we will never know. I really do think it is cohort dependent, and there is no way of knowing that in advance.


If you're a Sheridan family, then I think we likely have the same school priorities. Do you mind sharing what school you went for?
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2024 21:01     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
Anonymous wrote:Better than taking a poll of how many love it or are unhappy is to learn from the people you actually know why they like/dislike it and then decide if those things are important to you.


Do you know someone at every school? If we all had a friend that could answer every single one of our parenting or school related questions DCUM would have no reason for existing. Don’t like the question or can’t answer it, move along!
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2024 19:26     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
Anonymous wrote:NP. Wondering if any of the 3 PPs had their kids there in MS? Mine is there now, and we are debating best route for HS.

DC doesn't like the small size because it severely limits social opportunities, but I remain hopeful that the HS class size doubling would be helpful.


NP. Our kid was a lifer at Sheridan, so one class per grade. When it came time to apply for high school, we (parents) had Burke at the top of our list, but our kid knew that he wanted bigger and chose a school with 90-100 per grade. The size definitely helps for social opportunities, and he found a nice circle of friends. That could have happened with a class size of 60 at Burke, but we will never know. I really do think it is cohort dependent, and there is no way of knowing that in advance.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2024 14:22     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
Better than taking a poll of how many love it or are unhappy is to learn from the people you actually know why they like/dislike it and then decide if those things are important to you.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2024 12:24     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
Mine is in HS and LOVES it. It is very easy for kids to try new things at Burke.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2024 10:36     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
Mine started in 9th so we don’t have experience with the middle school.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2024 10:33     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
NP. Wondering if any of the 3 PPs had their kids there in MS? Mine is there now, and we are debating best route for HS.

DC doesn't like the small size because it severely limits social opportunities, but I remain hopeful that the HS class size doubling would be helpful.
Anonymous
Post 08/14/2024 15:20     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
Really love it. It isn’t perfect but it’s a really great place for kids to grow into adults.
Anonymous
Post 08/14/2024 12:29     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
My DC likes it too. 5 stars! Academics are good, but not overly stressful and kids are really supported in trying new things. Location is great, but facilities are a negative. But I would never choose a school based on facilites assuming the building was well maintained.
Anonymous
Post 08/14/2024 11:12     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
My DC is entering 11th grade and had a very positive overall experience at Burke! I think they do a lot of things very well and foster a healthy, balanced approach to school. My kid has tried two new sports, participated in the school musical, picked up a few instruments in music classes, did a language immersion program, has made nice friends, and seems to have meaningful connections with several teachers.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2024 22:35     Subject: Re:How does your HSer like Burke
My DC really likes it. Nice group of friends. DC likes the teachers. Has been accepted in some prestigious summer programs and the teachers have been very supportive of DC’s interests. As a parent, it seems rigorous but not insane. Whole family is quite happy. Probably will send younger child there for high school too.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2024 21:43     Subject: How does your HSer like Burke
We know 4 families at Burke with kids in US. One loves it; one is meh; 2 do not. Considering for our kid next year but Im curious what others have experienced.