Admissions Process
Burke's takes pride in its diverse and inclusive community and seeks to enroll students of many cultural, religious, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our student body comes from more than 40 zip codes and our typical entering kindergarten class from more than 25 preschools.
The admissions process for students begins in the fall prior to the planned year of attendance. We admit students to kindergarten through eighth grade, with kindergarten as the main entry point and other grade levels being filled as space becomes available. Please note that all applicants to kindergarten must be age five by September 1 of their kindergarten year. We work hard during the admissions process to learn a great deal about the applicant and her family and for you to get to know us. We view a student's application as a whole - while individual assessments and grades are important, school recommendations from those who know the girls best are thoroughly reviewed in the decision-making process.
Begin your exploration of Burke's by requesting a copy of our viewbook, which highlights our mission of preparing able, motivated girls for academic challenge, life in community and lifelong love of learning.
Campus Tours
We look forward to scheduling you for a campus tour on a school day in October through December. At least one parent or guardian must attend a tour in order to submit an application. Please click here for tour dates.
Application Forms
All required application forms for the kindergarten through grade eight admissions process are available online. Please download them directly by visiting our Application Materials page.
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2011-2012 school year must be received by December 15, 2010, with a non-refundable $100 application fee. Please contact Renée Thompson for a fee waiver if your family is facing financial constraints.
Parent and Guardian Interviews
After the application is sent to the Admissions Office, all parents and guardians must arrange for an interview with the Director of Admissions. These 30-minute visits take place from November 2010, and must be completed by January 31, 2011. The interview provides a time for mutual exchange of information to help us learn more about your daughter, and to offer families a time to ask specific questions about a Burke's education. Please call the Admissions Office (415) 751-0177 ext. 221 to make an appointment.
Decision Notification
Burke's and all other San Francisco K-8 Independent Schools will mail admission decisions for all applicants on March 17, 2011. Parents and guardians will be expected to respond by 10:00 a.m. on March 24, 2011.
Step - By - Step Admissions Process: Kindergarten
Students applying to kindergarten for the 2011-2012 school year must be age 5 by September 1, 2011.
1. Schedule and attend a school tour.
2. Submit an application and non-refundable $100 fee by December 15, 2010
.
Please contact Renée Thompson if you need a fee waiver due to financial constraints.
3. Schedule your parent and guardian interview before January 31, 2011.
4. Each applicant to kindergarten must complete two evaluation sessions for Burke's. The first
evaluation is a kindergarten visit on the Burke's campus in January 2011. The second evaluation is
a kindergarten screening hosted at the Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco in January 2011.
Schedule your child's screening and visit by submitting the Kindergarten screening and
visit form with the application by December 15, 2010. To schedule your child's individual screening at the Congregation Emanu-El in January 2010, please click here.
5. Ask current teachers to complete and mail the school evaluation form by December 31, 2010.
These recommendations are confidential and must be mailed directly from the teacher to the
Admissions Office.
6. Families interested in applying for financial assistance should submit an application by
January 14, 2011. Families can apply online.
7. On March 17, 2011, all San Francisco K-8 independent schools, including Burke's, mail their
decision letters on this date.
Step - By - Step Admissions Process: Grades One through Four
1. Schedule and attend a school tour.
2. Submit an application and non-refundable $100 fee by December 15, 2010.
Please contact Renée Thompson if you need a fee waiver due to financial constraints.
3. Schedule your parent and guardian interview before January 31, 2011.
4. Ask a current teacher to complete and mail the school evaluation form. Students applying to
fourth grade must have two evaluation forms completed. These recommendations are
confidential and must be mailed directly from the teachers to the Admissions Office by
December 31, 2010.
5. Applicants to grades two through four must have official transcripts and the transcript request
form returned to Burke's by December 31, 2010. All transcripts must be official and include grades
and comments from the current and previous two school years.
Parent copies of report cards/transcripts will not be accepted.
6. In February 2011, applicants are required to complete a full day student visit at Burke's.
The Admissions Office will contact parents and guardians in mid-January to schedule your child's
visit.
7. Families interested in applying for financial assistance should submit an application by
January 14, 2011. Families can apply online.
8. On March 17, 2011, all San Francisco K-8 independent schools, including Burke's, mail their decision
letters on this date.
Step - By - Step Admissions Process: Grades Five through Eight
1. Schedule and attend a school tour.
2. Submit an application and non-refundable $100 fee by December 15, 2010.
Please contact Renée Thompson if you need a fee waiver due to financial constraints.
3. Schedule your parent and guardian interview before January 31, 2011.
4. Ask two current teachers to complete and mail the school evaluation form. Students applying to
grades seven and eight must have one evaluation from an English teacher, and the other from a
science or mathematics teacher. These recommendations are confidential and must be mailed
directly from the teachers to the Admissions Office by December 31, 2010.
5. Official transcripts and the transcript request form must be returned to Burke's by
December 31, 2010. All transcripts must be official and include grades and comments from the
current and previous two school years.
Parent copies of report cards/transcripts will not be accepted.
6. In February 2011, applicants are required to complete a full day student visit at Burke's.
The Admissions Office will contact parents and guardians in mid-January to schedule your child's
visit.
7. Applicants for grades five through eight must take the Independent School Entrance Examination
(ISEE) by February 5, 2011.
Please have results sent directly to Katherine Delmar Burke School (our school code is 054064.)
To register for the ISEE, please visit their website at http://www.iseetest.org/,
or call 1-800-446-0320.
Families facing financial constraints may be eligible for a fee waiver and should contact Renée
Thompson at (415)751-0177 ext. 206.
Please note, Burke's is a San Francisco test site on February 5, 2011. Our school code is 054064.
8. Families interested in applying for financial assistance should submit an application by
January 14, 2011. Families can apply online.
9. On March 17, 2011, all San Francisco K-8 independent schools, including Burke's, mail their decision
letters on this date.
Admission's Key Dates
- October through December 2009: Campus Tours
- October 16, 2010: Admissions Preview
- December 15, 2010: K-8 applications due
- December 31, 2010: School evaluations due
- December 31, 2010: Transcripts due (grade 2-8 applicants)
- January 2011: Kindergarten screenings and visits
- January 31, 2011: Parent and guardian interview deadline
- February 5, 2011: ISEE deadline (grade 5-8 applicants)
- March 17, 2011: Admission and financial assistance decisions mailed
- March 24, 2011: Admission and financial assistance decisions due
Further Information
Should you have questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The Katherine Delmar Burke School admits students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin to all the rights and privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, scholarship, athletics or any other programs.
