SSSAS, Burgundy Farm or Browne?

[Anonymous]

diversity is important to us, as is a strong math program. so, which one would you choose for an active/social PK boy?

[Anonymous]

All good choices. SSSAS is known for being a good fit for active boys, and I think that is accurate - great athletics, lots of outdoor time. I have compared the math programs at Browne and SSSAS and I think they are both very strong. Both will rise to the challenge of a talented student. SSSAS may have more depth, in that there are more likely a larger pool of kids ahead of the curve. But both offer advanced programs in middle school.
Resources at SSSAS are more extensive, just due to size. But both great choices.

[Anonymous]

If diversity is important to you, then don't pick SSSAS.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think Browne is most definitely the most diverse of those three schools. It is quite diverse compared to other privates.

[Anonymous]

2 kids at Browne - they love it and we are very happy with the school. Academics have been excellent, and it is creative and nurturing as well - kids have a great time. For some reason people seem to think it is super traditional, but that is not the case. It is probably somewhere in between SSSA and Burgundy. Love the math program too.

[Anonymous]

Have experience with all 3 schools - each very different than the other. Do compare mission statements of each as well as size and resources.

SSSAS does offer much more because it is a K-12 school. It is great for active, social boys. We have loved the math program, esp. during the MS years.

Surprisingly, Browne more diverse than Burgundy which was founded on this principle. Math program fine. Do hear lots of complaints on Burgundy's math program.

In the end, do think how your son fits into a progressive program (Burgundy), a hybrid (Browne) or something a little more traditional where the school motivates the child (SSSAS).

[Anonymous]

We've adored Burgundy Farm. But I think most families that do are attracted to it very specifically, and don't apply to SSSAS or Browne. Burgundy is unique.

[Anonymous]

We applied to all the privates in Alexandria. Each one really is different than all the others. While Burgundy has special qualities, so do all the others. You just really have to experience each one, do the visits and then see where you land.

We ended up at the school we didn't think would be the fit but have been very happy. It's all about the kid and what works best for them at that moment in time.

[Anonymous]

Agree with previous. If diversity is important, then steer clear of SSSAS. Browne is wonderfully diverse, as is Burgundy.

[Anonymous]

I recently decided on Burgundy for this Fall. Among reasons I loved it (in no order of importance) were play based learning early on, large classrooms with huge windows, 25 acre campus, mixed age classes (2nd/3rd, 4th/5th), diversity (over 30%, 1st integrated school in Virginia), great exmissions, great arts and technology program, great parent involvement, etc... And athletics too; I know they were in basketball championships last night, for I think 5th year in a row.

(not knocking others btw)
So I viewed as a great place where child could have room to grow over time, yet still get to the same place academically by high school (if not sooner), judging by exmissions.

[Anonymous]

Burgundy parent here. We did not even consider applying to Browne. We considered but decided not to apply to SSSAS. SSSAS seemed overly country-clubby. Browne just seemed... uninteresting. Nice enough, but nothing special academically or socially. We've been very happy with Burgundy.

[Anonymous]

Burgundy was too liberal for us, so we chose Browne. We started there in PS-3 and are in K now. Our daughter was reading well before she was 5 and they're teaching kids to think and explore. She's already doing simple math, estimating, and learning how to tell time, as well as journaling and spelling. We are proud and pleased. Its very diverse which was important to us and they teach them French starting at age 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Burgundy parent here. We did not even consider applying to Browne. We considered but decided not to apply to SSSAS. SSSAS seemed overly country-clubby. Browne just seemed... uninteresting. Nice enough, but nothing special academically or socially. We've been very happy with Burgundy.

PP, everyone else was able to point out the good things about the schools they chose without insulting the others. In fact, many posts on this pleasant-until-you-joined thread noted that ALL the schools have their strengths and weaknesses, and all are different. But no one bashed the other schools except you. Clearly, we all ended up choosing one school over the others --- but the rest of us didn't need to put the others down.
If you are representative of Burgundy, I'll go elsewhere, thank you very much.
I have a feeling the other Burgundy parents would rather have a different representative than you.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'd also look at things such as class size (do you prefer small or larger?), how many in the classroom, classroom technology, overall resources available, sports philosophy, teacher turnover. Don't assume that a smaller school will have a smaller classroom size. Especially important is how each school teaches their curriculum - they all do it very differently.

As a parent of a boy, I would also mention that how your son learns is most important. Is he self-motivating or learns differently than other kids? Then maybe Burgundy. Does he do his best when he is motivated by others? Then either Browne or SSSAS.

Your child will also change over time so don't necessarily think that one school will offer long-term solutions. Think about what will work best for your child now. And unlike a view expressed above, don't base your decision on what you feel other parents are like - it's always about what's best for your child.

[Anonymous]

As a Burgundy parent, I am surprised by the previous post's tenor regarding other schools in Alexandria. As a Burgundy parent one of the aspects I value most is the sense of community for all and respect for everyone. The tenor displayed in the previous post is certainly not what I would expect from a fellow parent and most definitely not an attitude taught by the school. For any considering or accepting a spot at Burgundy, my family's experience has been wonderful and I would recommend it.