Burke Elementary is a Fresh Start School with a collaborative partership with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union, consisting of Primary, Intermediate and Middle Grades

"The Fresh Start Schools program is a unique partnership between the Chicago Board of Education and the Chicago Teachers Union. Its purpose is to increase school autonomy and group decision-making through the development of instructional leadership teams. It provides assistance for academic success through external partnerships that would enable schools to meet No Child Left Behind academic gains. The program is inclusive of not only improving students learning but in maintaining and retaining quality teachers through its peer mentoring and evaluation component."

Burke Elementary centers on a small school and team concept. The school is divided into three communities; each community chaired by a teacher leader. Burke strives to motivate students to take an active and responsible role in their learning. Burke has a partnership with Brinshore Development.