A.E. Burdick School

Excellence in Education Since 1925

MPS- Stacked-Logo (414) 294-1200
Email Burdick School
4348 S. Griffin Ave.
  • Home
  • Virtual Learning
  • About
    • About Burdick
    • What We Offer
    • Vision and Mission
    • Burdick History
    • Alumni
  • Calendar
  • Families
    • Parent Portal
    • Parent Guides
    • Parent/Student Handbook
    • District Forms
    • Student Days Off – District Calendars
    • Information for Parents
    • Extended Care
    • Lunch Information
    • Social Services
  • For Students
  • Principal
  • Staff
    • Staff Directory
    • Staff Resources
      • Frontline
      • Infinite Campus
      • Internal Staff Resources
      • mConnect
      • MPS Employee Self Service
      • Staff Email
  • Sports
  • Gallery
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Why Choose Burdick School? / Burdick History

Burdick History

From Milwaukee’s Town of Lake, by Ron Winkler

“In 1856, Morgan Burdick sold land to the Town of Lake to build a school named for his son Alfred Burdick. It was built in 1925 at 4348 South Griffin Avenue. Alfred was on Lake’s board of education and was known as “Doc” for his knowledge of treating animals.

Burdick School was designed by H.C. Hauser, who also designed Burdick’s two subsequent additions in 1930 and 1954. In 1954, when Lake consolidated with the City of Milwaukee, Burdick became part of Milwaukee Public Schools. It is the only school built by Lake that is still in use as a school.

In 1944, Burdick School started a newsletter, the Burdick Star, which was written by eighth-graders under faculty advisors. It featured news submitted by each classroom as well as poetry, jokes, stories, and editorials. It was renamed the Burdick Buzz in 1946. In 1974, it was replaced by a class book with glossy photographs.

When Burdick School became part of MPS, it was successful and was allowed to continue with little intervention. In the 1990s, it was recognized as a pioneer in the digital revolution with strong technology and music programs.

Burdick School’s numerous music awards fill one of its walls. The music department was founded in 1930 by Anthony Erickson, and parents organized the band parents’ club. Erickson left Burdick in 1948 to become Milwaukee County’s first supervisor of Music. He is standing on the far left in this photograph (click to enlarge) of the 1948 Burdick School band. (Joanne Spraitz)

George Cerwin replaced Erickson as Burdick’s music director. In 1952, former students approached Cerwin about forming an alumni band. They then formed the Town of Lake Band, which became the Lake Band in 1954 when the town consolidated with Milwaukee. In the summers, the band practiced on Tuesday evenings at the Lake water tower, where its awards are still housed. The Lake Band disbanded in 2006.”

You may purchase a copy of Milwaukee’s Town of Lake by ordering it through the Bay View Historical Society or by contacting Ron Winkler directly at 414-744-9404. 

Please visit the Bay View Historical website here.

Read more about the story of Alfred E. Burdick.

Below are additional historical photographs courtesy of David Premetz, class of 1961, as well as other archived photos.




 

NEW!
School Reopening Website

Donate Now

donate button graphic

A.E. Burdick School Updates

The MPS “Celebrating Abilities” Forum Week

Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences

January Students of the Month

Girls on the Run Spring Announcement

Burdick Virtual Family Trivia Night February 26

More Updates >>>

A.E. Burdick School's Upcoming Events

Mar
9
Tue
6:30 pm School Engagement Council Meeting
School Engagement Council Meeting
Mar 9 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
 
Mar
19
Fri
all-day No School
No School
Mar 19 all-day
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Apr
2
Fri
all-day Spring Break
Spring Break
Apr 2 all-day
No School
Apr
5
Mon
all-day Spring Break
Spring Break
Apr 5 all-day
No School
Apr
6
Tue
all-day Spring Break
Spring Break
Apr 6 all-day
No School

View Calendar

Subscribe for School Updates

Email address

Connect With A.E. Burdick School

 twitteryoutubefacebook
Contact A.E. Burdick School
(414) 294-1200
Email Burdick School
4348 S. Griffin Ave.

Contact MPS

Milwaukee Public Schools
5225 W. Vliet Street
Milwaukee, WI 53208
Switchboard: (414) 475-8393

Additional Resources

Breakfast & Lunch Menus
Volunteer
MPS Programs
District Calendar
District News
Non-Discrimination Notice

Connect with MPS

MPS eNewsletter Sign-Up
Whether or not you have a child enrolled at an MPS school or are an employee, all of our community members have a vested interest in what goes on at MPS. Subscribe to our eNewsletters for important updates and information.
Sign Up Now
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Milwaukee Public Schools · Log in