CHDS vs Burgundy Farm

[Anonymous]

Thoughts?

For K, boy.

We live close to Burgundy but DH works on the Hill. I liked both schools but DH can't justify spending so much money for CHDS and "it's piss poor" facilities ( his words). The new head will be brand new and
we hear mixed reviews about the lower grade teachers, especially prk/k, while the middle is solid according to DH's colleagues. Burgundy seems great but maybe too crunchy? Beautiful grounds. Awful carpool line. Mix of new and old teachers. Less structure.

We haven't heard from Capitol Hill Day yet but we are pretty sure DS is in. If so, which would you choose for a bright energetic boy?

[Anonymous]

Op again - I am also curious about playdate. Burgundy kids seem to come from all over while CHDS kids are mostly from the Hill. DH colleague whose child attends school now says it's hard for families outside the hill to really integrate. Is that true? I don't know any burgundy families. Share your experience with how and when kids tend to play after school.

[Anonymous]

I have children at CHDS so can only speak to that school. We've been very happy there and extremely pleased with the quality of the teaching. Would agree that the MS is strong with a real focus on writing and critical thinking. We had great experiences in early childhood but that was a while ago at this point. We do not live on the Hill and had no trouble integrating. In fact about half the families live off the Hill (some variation by grade of course). When my older child started there my DH worked on the Hill. Now he doesn't but we've found the commute from work downtown to be no problem.

The facilities really aren't as bad as they look at first glance. Would it be nice to have more space - sure. But the program doesn't depend on more space.

Another great feature of CHDS is the field education program. It really makes the curriculum come alive for the kids.

Good luck with your choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thoughts?

For K, boy.

We live close to Burgundy but DH works on the Hill. I liked both schools but DH can't justify spending so much money for CHDS and "it's piss poor" facilities ( his words). The new head will be brand new and
we hear mixed reviews about the lower grade teachers, especially prk/k, while the middle is solid according to DH's colleagues. Burgundy seems great but maybe too crunchy? Beautiful grounds. Awful carpool line. Mix of new and old teachers. Less structure.

We haven't heard from Capitol Hill Day yet but we are pretty sure DS is in. If so, which would you choose for a bright energetic boy?

For what it's worth, I know one of the lower grade teachers at CHDS well and she's GREAT. Very well-educated, lots of experience in education and the arts. If her colleagues are anything like her I would be thrilled to have my child at school there.

[Anonymous]

We had great experiences with the lower grade teachers. The facilities aren't great, but they really get out and use the city and frankly kids at the beginning ages don't seem to mind. It's a close-knit school and I don't think that it's hard to integrate. However as you get older, the playdates become a little burdensome when you're driving to the Hill even on days when you aren't going for work.

[Anonymous]

Thank you folks for the prompt responses. I forgot that there is an admissions outreach committee now.

Any Burgundy families out there?

[Anonymous]

Burgundy's great for a bright, energetic boy. I can't speak to CHDS, because I don't know enough about it. I have met several teachers from there who seemed good.

The kindergartens at Burgundy are actually fairly structured, but have built in time for choices and outdoor play. The days are scheduled, and the teachers maintain routines. The kids are encouraged to develop independence within the structure of familiar routines.

CHDS's use of the city as a learning environment seems good. Burgundy's Alexandria campus and West Virginia campus (part of the curriculum starting in first grade) offer another whole set of opportunities.

My child had a fabulous kindergarten experience at Burgundy. As for the carpool line.... well... maybe you can carpool and at least you won't have to be in it morning and afternoon.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

We have lots of friends at both schools which are different as night and day. You really need to go visit.

Here's where they really differ - attitude, environment and academics. Burgundy very, very laid back - a progressive and pretty unstructured. CHDS has more structure and I think you'll be surprised at how many families live in the suburbs. Burgundy has a better campus and requires very little homework. Their LS after 1st grade, is combined classes - 2/3 and 4/5.

From what I hear, you should compare the technology system and education as well as the math, language and writing programs of both schools and see which is the better fit.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about Burgundy, but I visited CHDS and was very impressed (and applied). Only thing that freaked me out a little was little kids playing on front yard, no fence or anything! Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Their playground is tiny and all the kids have to take turns sharing that little space. The kids, even the litttle ones, do not have nearly as much recess or PE time as Burgundy.

With the school's low annual giving participation, I would be surprised if their capital campaign will ever raise enough to build the addition but maybe a current parent can chime in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Their playground is tiny and all the kids have to take turns sharing that little space. The kids, even the litttle ones, do not have nearly as much recess or PE time as Burgundy.

With the school's low annual giving participation, I would be surprised if their capital campaign will ever raise enough to build the addition but maybe a current parent can chime in.

The older kids use Garfield Park across the street which is quite large. The school helps to maintain the park.

I was involved with annual giving one year and participation was 95%.

[Anonymous]

As of May last year Annual Giving ranged from 55% (gr 8) to 83% (gr 6). Prek 76%, prek/k 71%, k 63%. This was late May so there could have been a surge in giving before the end of the year.

Not sure about status of new wing.

Would not recommend for an active boy. Not enough recess and kids suffer from it. Recess taken away as form of discipline too.

[Anonymous]

"Recess taken away as form of discipline too. "

Can you elaborate on this please, e.g., details of the discipline scenario? Seems like that approach could be really counter-productive if the behavior they're trying to address has to do with needing to expend extra energy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Recess taken away as form of discipline too. "

Can you elaborate on this please, e.g., details of the discipline scenario? Seems like that approach could be really counter-productive if the behavior they're trying to address has to do with needing to expend extra energy!

Not the pp but I have an active boy who has been there since pre k (in middle school now) and he's never been subject to this. So it certainly isn't the norm at the school. But obviously the pp had a different experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As of May last year Annual Giving ranged from 55% (gr 8) to 83% (gr 6). Prek 76%, prek/k 71%, k 63%. This was late May so there could have been a surge in giving before the end of the year.

.

Last year was an anomaly with a new Dev Director who was terrible. Luckily she lasted less than a year.