Upper School

Burke’s Upper School encompasses fifth through eighth grades. Each grade is organized into four homeroom/advisory groups of ten to twelve girls. Class sizes range from full sections of 20 to 23 students to smaller instructional groups. Upper School teachers are specialists in the subjects they teach and the curriculum draws on the best education practices of the past enhanced by recent advances in brain research and pedagogy to ensure a strong, deliberate and systematic approach to middle school education for girls.   We combine traditional texts and materials with collaborative and project-based studies and coordinate the curriculum across subjects and grade levels.

In the Upper School, we expose students to advanced concepts and skills at every level and expect mastery when students have reached the optimal stage of cognitive development for each concept and skill. Skills well mastered provide strong motivation and a solid platform for continued learning.

We encourage independence in thought and believe that multiple perspectives help students develop critical thinking skills. Students learn to challenge assumptions, to identify essential questions, to gather diverse information, and to form and support well-reasoned opinions.

We pay careful attention to our students’ social and emotional development with the goal of helping them develop a realistic and positive sense of themselves. Moreover, Burke’s approach builds students’self-confidence which, in turn, strengthens their ability to learn and be active participants in their classes and community.

Students graduate from Burke’s with a strong academic foundation and a love of  learning. High schools across the country report that Burke’s graduates stand out not only for the strength of their academic preparation but also for  their eagerness to learn for the sake of learning — not just for the sake of grades. This reflects  Burke’s long-standing commitment  to preserving the spirit of exploration while students master traditional skills and concepts.

Program

Upper School students are challenged by a comprehensive academic program that includes core academic subjects, complemented by the study of and participation in art, music, drama, and physical education. Seventh and eighth graders also have classes in service learning and public speaking, as well as a variety of electives. The teaching of computer skills and technology is integrated into the curriculum and supports learning at all grade levels.
Our upper school teachers are specialists in their respective subjects and collaborate closely across academic disciplines and subject areas to ensure a well-coordinated and balanced program that addresses the needs of our students.