Kindergarten Slots Available at Burgundy Farm

[Anonymous]

Anyone interested should contact Kathy Robinson. You can do a DCUM search on Burgundy to hear what current families think of the school ... they love it.

[Anonymous]

Have families dropped out, or were these never filled during the regular admissions season?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I honestly do not know for sure, however, I do know that admissions were up 9 percent this year over last and that every year only about 20 percent of applicants are accepted. In other words, the school does not "fill slots" -- it looks for children and families that seem like they would fit well and are truly looking for progressive education. I believe that these slots have been available since the close of the spring admissions cycle (and mentioned openly on the schools web homepage), which implies that they were left open purposefully rather than filled by individuals that were deemed not a good fit. But again, I don't know for sure that a family or two have not dropped out, as that could happen for any number of reasons, including the annual tuition increase, moving from the area, etc.

[Anonymous]

It seems as though families are only interested in schools that are very selective. If a a school accepts 50% of applicants that's a drawback?
Keep in mind that these schools are still more selective than public schools. The suburban schools do not have the large applicant pool as the city schools. Also, the reality that schools don't want to admit is the economy. Their tuition is waaay to high.

[Anonymous]

Although I do not relish paying it, I do not agree that private school tuition is way too high. I say this because I do not like the things that would be cut in order to bring the tuition down. Less money for scholarship (i.e. less diversity), less enrichment (language, drama, arts), fewer teachers (i.e. larger class size), less building maintenance, and so forth would definitely bring down tuition costs. And paying even less for teachers also would obviously do the same -- yet we hope the schools will hire the best they can find and reward them well to reduce turnover. Each family has to decide what they are looking for in a school and where they can best afford to send their kids to match those goals. For some, that will absolutely be the public schools. For others, private. Paying less and not getting the education I'm seeking for my child is no bargain.

[Anonymous]

I would love to see the tuition go down, and the lawns look a bit shabbier.

[Anonymous]

Okay, maybe parent volunteers could do a little mowing, mulching, fertilizing!!

[Anonymous]

I was at a parent meeting at one of these schools and they served gourmet food. A bit much, I think.

[Anonymous]

Agree that Burgundy just doesn't fill slots, even during these harder economic times.

The school definitely looks for kids who would thrive in a progressive atmosphere and for parents who are truly interested in/buy in to that type of education. This doesn't mean that they would turn away someone who is a little wary, etc. You don't have to be join a cult or anything... it's just that they can tell from a mile away parents who are just there because they feel like it is a backup school and that they really would rather their kid be at Sidwell, a much more traditional approach.

The strength of the school and the non-traditional approach hinges on parent understanding, appreciation, and support. What may look willy-nilly to some (I can't believe I just used that term, but I can't think of another that seems as appropriate) is guided discovery and learning to another.

Before you rush to try to get your kids into the last slot or two that may be available at the area schools - for whatever reason - parents move, they realize that they can't afford the school, the school selected not to fill slots in order to maintain integrity to its mission and program - don't just put your kid's name in the hat. Research it and be sure that it is what you want/where your kid will seem to do well.

In the end if the school isn't a good fit for you or your family there will be issues, and it won't be worth the angst, etc. that comes along with desperate decisions.

On the other hand, if you passed up schools in the first place because you were so focused on "the big three" and the hype - but are now able to take a more sane look at the landscape, you may realize that it was a blessing in disguise. Not knocking these schools, it is just that people get caught up in crazy hype and these schools may not even be providing the "best" education for your child or the "best" experience for your family.

I speaketh from experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Burgundy just doesn't fill slots, even during these harder economic times.

The school definitely looks for kids who would thrive in a progressive atmosphere and for parents who are truly interested in/buy in to that type of education. This doesn't mean that they would turn away someone who is a little wary, etc. You don't have to be join a cult or anything... it's just that they can tell from a mile away parents who are just there because they feel like it is a backup school and that they really would rather their kid be at Sidwell, a much more traditional approach.

The strength of the school and the non-traditional approach hinges on parent understanding, appreciation, and support. What may look willy-nilly to some (I can't believe I just used that term, but I can't think of another that seems as appropriate) is guided discovery and learning to another.

Before you rush to try to get your kids into the last slot or two that may be available at the area schools - for whatever reason - parents move, they realize that they can't afford the school, the school selected not to fill slots in order to maintain integrity to its mission and program - don't just put your kid's name in the hat. Research it and be sure that it is what you want/where your kid will seem to do well.

In the end if the school isn't a good fit for you or your family there will be issues, and it won't be worth the angst, etc. that comes along with desperate decisions.

On the other hand, if you passed up schools in the first place because you were so focused on "the big three" and the hype - but are now able to take a more sane look at the landscape, you may realize that it was a blessing in disguise. Not knocking these schools, it is just that people get caught up in crazy hype and these schools may not even be providing the "best" education for your child or the "best" experience for your family.

I speaketh from experience.

PP- This is so well said. I couldn't agree with you more. Great advice.

(I, too, speaketh from experience)

[Anonymous]

We love Burgundy! We just got the Alexandria Gazette Packet, which lists the high schools that the 8th graders are attending (see http://files.connectionnewspapers.com/PDF/current/Alexandria.pdf). Very impressive!