Leadership, Resilience & Teamwork in Sport
Burke’s launched the fall Upper School athletics season with 132 student-athletes competing at eleven levels.
At Burke's, we value the many benefits—physical, psychological, academic, and social—that middle school girls gain from athletics participation. We pride ourselves on maximizing playing and leadership opportunities for students at all skill levels. Mixed-grade teams build friendships across grade levels and strengthen the Upper School community, and non-participating students are always ready to cheer on their classmates.
“Athletics played a very important role in my high school and college life. I can trace many daily leadership skills—such as teamwork, communication, and resilience—to what I learned playing basketball,” said Head of School Michele Williams. “I love that Burke’s has one of the most robust athletic programs in the Bay Area K-8 independent school community.”
Burke’s child-centered approach to learning supports healthy relationships, promotes well-being, and recognizes the individuality of each girl. The athletics program teaches our students to push their limits, achieve personal bests, and learn how to handle setbacks positively, which are crucial life skills. Director of Athletics Ashling Bryant believes, “You will make mistakes. If you make a mistake, that’s not the end of the game. Sports allow our students to make mistakes and practice resilience in real time. It’s a live experience.”
Each year, sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students ready for League-level play can try out for cross country and volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, and soccer and futsal in the spring. Fifth graders may choose to participate in a fifth-grade volleyball or cross-country team in the fall, a soccer team in the winter season, and basketball in the spring. Fifth graders interested in League competitions may try out for the experience and may be placed on a Varsity or JV team based on their skill level and if their selection is in the best interests of both player and team.
Student-athletes host and organize the Upper School Sports Celebration at the end of each school year to honor the athletes who represented Burke's Athletic Program. Athletes, associated adults, siblings, friends, and teachers enjoy team highlights and award ceremonies and hear words of wisdom from the previous year's "Outstanding Athletes" now that they are in high school. Last but certainly not least, they give a shoutout to the fifth-grade students stepping up to league teams in the coming year!
Burke's mission is to educate, encourage and empower girls. Our school combines academic excellence with an appreciation for childhood so that students thrive as learners, develop a strong sense of self, contribute to community, and fulfill their potential, now and throughout life.
Burke's admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, 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 and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.