Burke School in the Business of Educating Girls - for 95 years

By Simone Haas

Green trees, open fields and miles of forget-me-nots seems the ultimate environment for screaming girls in middies and skirts. This is Katherine Delmar Burke School, a place that aims to empower, encourage and educate young impressionable minds.

"We excel in serious academic programs and watching a delighted childhood," says Jessie-Lee Abbott, head of the school.

She means that it's OK for girls to have fun.

"There's nothing better than watching the exuberance of a five year old and their ability to explore," Abbott said.

She believes it is vital to encourage a child's curiosity as a way to achieve high academic levels while still allowing them to be children.

Abbott believes the ability to find a unique balance between critical skills and strong fundamentals is what makes Burke unique.

"We excel in getting girls to learn despite their own challenges and getting them to use these challenges to solve real-world problems," Abbott said. "We want the girls to use skills they acquire in the classrooms to solve dilemmas that face them every day."

She told of one girl's invention of an umbrella with a plastic sheet attached to protect the entire body from rain.

"It's these sorts of problem-solving skills that allow girls to feel the power of learning," Abbott said.

Abbott also believes in the power of the individual.

"We see individual differences as an advantage," says Abbott. "Through these individuals we are able to raise the caliber of learning."

There are many projects the girls participate in, including classes in nutrition and quilting. According to Abbott, the skills acquired in these courses help them realize they can help with big problems, like homelessness. The skills learned in quilting and cooking will benefit the students for the rest of their lives, she said.

Abbott admits the Burke School is very competitive to get into.

"We have such a limited amount of seats in our school and so many applicants," Abbott said. "We try to admit girls who will benefit from our education."

The school offers a diverse curriculum, including Mandarin, and provides the most-modern computers.

"We have centered more attention on personal growth since this school first opened," says Abbott. "It's important that we encourage girls to think for themselves, empowering them to do great things."

The Katherine Delmar Burke School, located at 7070 California St., is celebrating its 95th anniversary. For more information, call (415) 751-0177 or go to the school's website at www.kdbs.org.