FAQ's
How many openings do you have?
Our goal is to enroll three sections of kindergarten with 44 students. Vacancies in grades other than kindergarten are dependent upon attrition.
Does Burke’s have a sibling policy?
Burke’s believes having siblings is an important part of the school’s social make-up and values. However, we do not automatically offer enrollment. To ensure that Burke’s will be a school where siblings will potentially flourish, they must also complete the admissions process. Burke’s does give priority consideration to our sibling applicants and applicants who are children of our faculty and staff. We convey our decisions to these applicants in late November.
Do you have a birthday cut-off date for kindergarten applicants?
Yes. Girls must be five years old by September 1 to be eligible to apply for kindergarten. We know that some children may be developmentally ready for a kindergarten program, however Burke’s established the cut-off date to minimize the age disparity in grade levels.
How culturally and ethnically diverse is the Burke’s community?
We strive as a community to be welcoming and inclusive, valuing all members equally with the expectation that all members respect and learn from each other. Students representing cultural, racial and ethnic diversity make up 30% of the school population. In addition, 30% of our faculty and staff identify themselves as people of color.
Does Burke’s offer financial assistance?
Yes. For the 2008-2009 school year Burke’s awarded $1,090,000 to K-8 families who demonstrated need. Approximately 18% of the student body receives some form of financial assistance. Financial assistance grants may cover tuition, extended care, educational support and other School related expenses.
Where do Burke’s graduates go to high school?
In the last three years, 90% of our graduates have been admitted to their first choice high school. The majority of our graduates attend local independent high schools in San Francisco and Marin, among them Lick-Wilmerding, University High School, Urban, Saint Ignatius, Drew, The Bay School, The Branson School and Marin Academy. Some students prefer to go to public high schools, such as Gateway and Lowell in San Francisco, and Redwood and Tamalpais High in Marin. Small percentages go to boarding schools like Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, Cate, Thacher and Santa Catalina.
What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
Our student-to-teacher ratio is seven-to-one. Burke’s prides itself on offering small classes and providing its students with plenty of personal attention. Lower School class sizes vary slightly - every kindergarten has two full-time teachers with a class of 14-15 students. Grades one through four offer class sizes at 22 with two-full time teachers.
What foreign languages are offered, and when does instruction begin?
Beginning in fifth grade, students can select French, Spanish or Mandarin Chinese. The study of foreign language at the fifth grade level is enhanced by the students’ base of English language skills. Our simultaneous emphasis on speaking, listening, reading, writing and the structure of language delivered by native speakers results in high levels of fluency and life-long appreciation and use of the student’s chosen language.
What Physical Education and Athletic program does Burke’s offer?
The Physical Education program at Burke’s is designed to teach students about their bodies: how they work and how to keep them healthy. Students will focus on motor skills, teamwork, cooperation and sportsmanship. Kindergarteners meet twice a week for 30 minutes, first grade through fourth grade meets daily for 30-40 minutes, fifth grade through seventh grade meets daily for 40 minutes, and eighth grade meets three times a week for 40 minutes.
In middle school, Athletics are conducted after school. Students play club level, junior varsity and varsity sports in basketball, Futsal, soccer, softball, volleyball, and cross country. Burke’s competes in two athletic leagues – Bay Area Independent Athletic League (BAIAL) and San Francisco Athletic League (SFAL).
Does Burke’s offer extended childcare?
Yes. Extended care is available for all Burke’s students. In the morning, extended care is offered from 7:30-8:30 a.m. at no additional cost. Extended Care is also offered from dismissal to 6:00 p.m. daily for a fee. The program consists of supervised indoor and outdoor play, projects and occasional access to the Lower School labs and studios.
Does Burke’s offer after-school classes?
Enrichment classes are offered in semester sessions through the After School Enrichment Program (ASEP). These classes may include such offerings as karate, drama, ceramics, golf and circus arts. They require separate enrollment and fees.
Where is the school located?
Katherine Delmar Burke School is located on a 3.5 acre campus in the Sea Cliff neighborhood of San Francisco, between California Street and 32nd Avenue.
Where do Burke’s families live?
Burke’s attracts families from all over the San Francisco Bay Area. While a majority of our families live in San Francisco, we have many families commuting from the North Bay, South Bay and East Bay areas.
Do you provide transportation to Burke’s?
We do not offer transportation to Burke’s. We encourage carpools and provide a ZIP code list to our families each year so that carpools can be organized.
