Edmund Burke School

Edmund Burke School is an independent college preparatory school in Washington, D.C. Located on Connecticut Avenue NW, two blocks from the Van Ness - UDC metro station, Burke enrolls approximately 300 students in Grades 6-12.[1]

Edmund Burke School
Location
Washington, D.C.

United States
Information
TypePrivate Preparatory School
Established1968
Head of SchoolDamian R. Jones
Faculty50
Grades6-12
Enrollment300
Average class size12-14
Student to teacher ratio6:1
Campus4101 Connecticut Avenue NW
Color(s)Burgundy and gray
Athletics conferencePotomac Valley Athletic Conference
MascotBengal tiger
PublicationBurke PAW

InLight Magazine

Yearbook
NewspaperThe Cageliner
Websitewww.burkeschool.org

Founded in 1968 by Jean Mooskin and Dick Roth,[2] the school practices progressive education: classes and advisory groups are small, teachers go by their first names, and students are given significant independence. In 2003, Burke earned city approval to expand its facilities[3] with a new building that would increase both size and capacity and now includes new computer labs, offices, middle school classrooms, athletic facilities, a theater, and an underground parking garage.[4]

The school was named for 18th century British parliamentarian and philosopher Edmund Burke. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing," a quote often attributed to Burke, serves as a source of inspiration.[5]

History

Edmund Burke School was founded in 1968 by Roth and Mooskin, who met while teaching at another Washington private school, the Hawthorne School,[6] which would close in 1982.[7] Burke first opened in a building at 2107 Wyoming Avenue NW and initially enrolled 17 students.[6] Elizabeth Ely, a teacher at Burke when it opened, went on to found The Field School in 1972,[8] and the two schools later became athletic rivals.[9] In 1971, Burke's growth prompted a move to 2120 Wyoming Avenue NW. In 1973, the school purchased 2955 Upton Street NW, which it later expanded to add a gymnasium and other facilities.[6]

Mooskin and Roth retired in 1999, and David Shapiro became the Head of School.[10] A new building, dedicated primarily to the middle school, connected with the school's longtime home, opened in 2006.[10] The current Head of School is Damian R. Jones.[10]

Mission

"Burke consciously brings together students who are different from one another in many ways, actively engages them in their own education, holds them to high expectations, gives them power and responsibility, and supports and advances their growth as skilled and independent thinkers who step forward to make positive contributions to the world in which they live."[11]

Profile

Burke enrolls approximately 225 high school students (Grades 9-12) and 75 middle school students (Grades 6-8). In 2020-21, those students represent more than 60 different zip codes in DC, Maryland, and Virginia and 40% self-identify as people of color.[12] The most recent graduating class attended 44 different colleges and universities.[13] The school employs roughly 70 faculty and staff, and 68% of the faculty hold advanced degrees. The average class size is 12-14 students, with options for independent study and teaching assistantships.[14] All graduating seniors complete an independent senior project.[15]

The school dedicates 15% of its annual budget to Financial Aid and, on average, "32% of Burke families receive financial aid."[16]

Facilities

The school has two buildings, affectionately dubbed "Calvin" and "Hobbes."[17] The school, while physically small in comparison to others in the area, is home to a black box theater, a gym, library, computer lab, ceramics studio, photography studio, and two music rooms. Burke's athletics teams practice at Howard Field (Howard University School of Law) and UDC Pool/Natatorium (University of the District of Columbia), just across the street. Burke is also located less than 20 minutes (on foot) from Rock Creek Park, National Zoological Park (United States), and Levine School of Music.

Athletics

The Burke Bengals compete primarily in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC) and the Burke offers varsity teams in Volleyball, Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Swimming, Baseball, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Golf, and Softball, which has won three consecutive championship titles.[18]

Burke has a "no-cut" policy, such that all interested students can have a place on a team, regardless of ability. Varsity teams do require annual tryouts.

Accreditations

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-11-21. Retrieved 2019-08-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "50th Anniversary". www.burkeschool.org. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  3. "Zoning Districts Summary". app.dcoz.dc.gov. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  4. "Edmund Burke School". Forrester Construction. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  5. "Mission and Philosophy | Edmund Burke School". www.burkeschool.org. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  6. Merow, Alison (Winter 2018). "Burke's History Reflects Its Values". 1968. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  7. "The Hawthorne School, Washington, D. C." www.thehawthorneschool.org. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  8. Schudel, Matt (September 4, 2009). "Risk-Taking Founder of Field School Emphasized the 'What' and the 'What-If'". The Washington Post.
  9. "Field/Burke Basketball Rivalry". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  10. "50th Anniversary". www.burkeschool.org. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  11. "Mission and Philosophy | Edmund Burke School". www.burkeschool.org. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  12. "Fast Facts - At A Glance | Edmund Burke School". www.burkeschool.org. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  13. "College Planning | Edmund Burke School". www.burkeschool.org. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  14. "Academic Curriculum | Edmund Burke School". www.burkeschool.org. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  15. "Senior Projects | Edmund Burke School". www.burkeschool.org. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  16. "Tuition and Aid | Edmund Burke School". www.burkeschool.org. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  17. "How Washington Private Schools Have Grown Their Campuses | Washingtonian (DC)". Washingtonian. 2015-10-27. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
  18. Kapur, Brian (2017-05-24). "Burke softball tops Oakcrest to repeat as PVAC champs". Current Newspapers. Retrieved 2019-04-09.

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