John E. Burke Elementary School received recognition from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Jan. 20, as it was listed as a 2025 School of Recognition.
“It’s important to recognize the good work happening in Massachusetts schools,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “I hope the teachers, staff, and school community for each School of Recognition will take pride in this honor.”
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said, “The schools recognized (on Jan. 20) are fulfilling important roles in their communities. Successful schools build a sense of belonging for students, families, and staff, and make it possible for students to do their best.”
Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler added, “I’m so proud and grateful for the hard work, passion, and dedication coming from these schools that are being recognized… They reflect what’s possible when our educators, students, families, and communities work together with high expectations and a shared commitment to success.”
Burke School Principal Lacey Becotte said this recognition has been “incredibly exciting.”
“As a school, we’ve worked incredibly hard to make this progress,” Becotte said, noting that the Burke School was listed as a school that required assistance just five years ago.
She added, “It feels wonderful. Our teachers, when we told them that we were going to be a School of Recognition, many of them actually had tears in their eyes. It’s been a journey, one of incredible hard work, perseverance, and persistence, and speaks a lot to our students, staff, and families.”
Becotte recalled sitting in a room with Burke staff when they got the news that they were listed as a school requiring assistance.
“In that moment, it could have been deflating or not,” Becotte said, “and I think the staff here really chose to embrace the hard work.”
She said, over the last five years, the school has taken on initiatives to increase rigor, encourage student discourse, and use data to better inform instruction.
She said that the district’s adoption of a new literacy program “was tremendous in being able to improve our general Tier 1 instruction.” Becotte added, “Our focus as a district on high-quality questions and tasks, and also increasing student sense of belonging so all students really feel included and part of our learning here at the Burke, has played a huge role in the success.”
Becotte said she couldn’t praise her teachers enough for all their effort and for their role in the school’s recent recognition.
“They’re a collaborative group of teachers who are really dedicated to the improvement of their craft, and I see that every day,” Becotte said. “Teachers help teachers day in and day out, and it’s really an exciting place to be.”
She also praised the Burke School’s families for their involvement in their student’s education.
“They are really partners for us in their student’s success,” Becotte said. “They ask great questions. They want to help every way they can, so really, when you put students, teachers, and parents together, and they work together with a common goal — and that’s student success — it really has positive outcomes.”
When thinking about how the Burke School will continue its success, Becotte said they will keep looking at data and the students’ needs, but the school will also work toward “capitalizing on the idea of students being partners in their own learning (and) making sure that students understand their data and how they can be part of that.”
“We’re going to continue to achieve great things,” Becotte said. “We’re going to continue to embrace high standards, the community of inclusivity, support each other in easy times and hard times, and continue to be dedicated to continue growth for each of our students.”
