Edmund Burke School

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]

"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]

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]

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.

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.

• Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

• Laura Curran, politician and Nassau County (N.Y.) executive
• Christopher Dyer, politician and gay rights activist also known as Cookie Buffet
• Romilio Hernandez, soccer player
• Darko Tresnjak, Tony Award-winning director
• Ben White, financial journalist

• Official site