Browne vs. Burgundy Farm - middle school

[Anonymous]

Hi there! We're looking at progressive schools for our son and are fortunate to be choosing between Browne Academy and Burgundy Farm. Would be grateful for any hot takes from the community.

Our young man is currently somewhat shy and not a fan of public speaking / performance (although he's a talented musician). Burgundy Farm puts a lot of emphasis on performative arts -- we can't decide if that will help him gain confidence, or if it will make him hate life. Any words of wisdom?

And any sense of which school prepares kids best academically for high school? We're not chasing high grades, but we don't want to disadvantage our guy, either.

TIA for any insights.

[Anonymous]

Browne gets very small after about 1st/2nd grade so just keep that mind. My daughter stayed until 4th grade and we applied out for 5th. Not a lot of issues but her class had about 9 students.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanking you for your reply. Small is good for my kid -- as long as the teachers are good, of course.

[Anonymous]

No complaints on teachers... Administration is so/so overall, I give it a solid 7/10. We were there from preschool to 4th and my daughter is thriving at SSSAS. Goodluck.

[Anonymous]

ummm, Browne is not a progressive school. It's about as traditional as you can get.

If you want progressive, Burgundy is your school.

Be careful of thinking small is good for a shy or introverted child. Small is NOT good if the personality mix is difficult in a given grade. Imagine if you were stuck in a classroom with 8 other kids and couldn't connect with any of them? In a larger school, kids who are quirky or shy are actually more likely to find other kids who have similar interests and personalities.

A friend of mind sent her kid to Maret because it was "small," and it worked out okay until the small social environment became stultifying and claustrophobic. In a small school, it's impossible to escape bad classroom dynamics when there's only one class. Grace Episcopal in Alexandria has the same issue after about 3rd grade.

[Anonymous]

GO. BURGUNDY.

The social climate there is unbelievable. Especially with older kids, if your 7th/8th grader is fine dumbing themselves down, not trying, and vaping, Browne is for you. My DC got bullied at Browne. It depends on the class, but honest to god our DC did not mix well at all. Kids will ridicule your child if they aren't a good fit, and the teachers don't do jack.

Please go Burgundy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ummm, Browne is not a progressive school. It's about as traditional as you can get.

If you want progressive, Burgundy is your school.

Be careful of thinking small is good for a shy or introverted child. Small is NOT good if the personality mix is difficult in a given grade. Imagine if you were stuck in a classroom with 8 other kids and couldn't connect with any of them? In a larger school, kids who are quirky or shy are actually more likely to find other kids who have similar interests and personalities.

A friend of mind sent her kid to Maret because it was "small," and it worked out okay until the small social environment became stultifying and claustrophobic. In a small school, it's impossible to escape bad classroom dynamics when there's only one class. Grace Episcopal in Alexandria has the same issue after about 3rd grade.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GO. BURGUNDY.

The social climate there is unbelievable. Especially with older kids, if your 7th/8th grader is fine dumbing themselves down, not trying, and vaping, Browne is for you. My DC got bullied at Browne. It depends on the class, but honest to god our DC did not mix well at all. Kids will ridicule your child if they aren't a good fit, and the teachers don't do jack.

Please go Burgundy.

Wow! We’re at Browne now and have concerns, wish I could pick your brain. The social scene is very tough at Browne given the small size and our kids are definitely victims of bullies with little action from the teachers or administration. Also, the caliber of students they admit or allow to stay is astounding. One parent commented to me that this place is turning into a refuge for SSSAS rejects and PG county parents escaping their public school system. The most disruptive students with very clear behavioral issues are allowed to stay because the school has such low enrollment. Current 3rd grade class has only 7 kids.

[Anonymous]

The new middle school head at Burgundy who came from sidwell is doing a great job. Take a look at exmissions - Burgundy kids go to top schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The new middle school head at Burgundy who came from sidwell is doing a great job. Take a look at exmissions - Burgundy kids go to top schools.

+1 Very pleased with Burgundy’s middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GO. BURGUNDY.

The social climate there is unbelievable. Especially with older kids, if your 7th/8th grader is fine dumbing themselves down, not trying, and vaping, Browne is for you. My DC got bullied at Browne. It depends on the class, but honest to god our DC did not mix well at all. Kids will ridicule your child if they aren't a good fit, and the teachers don't do jack.

Please go Burgundy.

Wow! We’re at Browne now and have concerns, wish I could pick your brain. The social scene is very tough at Browne given the small size and our kids are definitely victims of bullies with little action from the teachers or administration. Also, the caliber of students they admit or allow to stay is astounding. One parent commented to me that this place is turning into a refuge for SSSAS rejects and PG county parents escaping their public school system. The most disruptive students with very clear behavioral issues are allowed to stay because the school has such low enrollment. Current 3rd grade class has only 7 kids.

As a parent at Browne from PG County, I'm not sure how to feel about the mention of PG County. Yes, we attend Browne to escape our public school system but isn't that the same reason why you attend Browne? To escape public schools in VA? Actually, no need to worry about this PG County parent because my child will be attending SSSAS next school year. FWIW, grades after 1st grade and class sizes are super small. It almost feels like a bunch of homeschooled children getting together. For the price tag, you can get much better in close proximity. Pre school is amazing but after experiencing this years 1st grade, we applied out for 2nd grade.

[Anonymous]

Um, Browne is not progressive. If this is a preference, Burgundy is a no brainer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GO. BURGUNDY.

The social climate there is unbelievable. Especially with older kids, if your 7th/8th grader is fine dumbing themselves down, not trying, and vaping, Browne is for you. My DC got bullied at Browne. It depends on the class, but honest to god our DC did not mix well at all. Kids will ridicule your child if they aren't a good fit, and the teachers don't do jack.

Please go Burgundy.

Wow! We’re at Browne now and have concerns, wish I could pick your brain. The social scene is very tough at Browne given the small size and our kids are definitely victims of bullies with little action from the teachers or administration. Also, the caliber of students they admit or allow to stay is astounding. One parent commented to me that this place is turning into a refuge for SSSAS rejects and PG county parents escaping their public school system. The most disruptive students with very clear behavioral issues are allowed to stay because the school has such low enrollment. Current 3rd grade class has only 7 kids.

As a parent at Browne from PG County, I'm not sure how to feel about the mention of PG County. Yes, we attend Browne to escape our public school system but isn't that the same reason why you attend Browne? To escape public schools in VA? Actually, no need to worry about this PG County parent because my child will be attending SSSAS next school year. FWIW, grades after 1st grade and class sizes are super small. It almost feels like a bunch of homeschooled children getting together. For the price tag, you can get much better in close proximity. Pre school is amazing but after experiencing this years 1st grade, we applied out for 2nd grade.

Love your homeschool comment. It does feel like that at times.

[Anonymous]

We have a pretty reserved boy. He has thrived at Burgundy. I feel Burgundy has done a wonderful job how they incorporate music, performing, opportunities to speak or present in class, in a very welcoming low stress environment. I can't say which school would be best for your child but know that the teachers at Burgundy work hard to ensure your child's success in the classroom, presenting, and performing. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GO. BURGUNDY.

The social climate there is unbelievable. Especially with older kids, if your 7th/8th grader is fine dumbing themselves down, not trying, and vaping, Browne is for you. My DC got bullied at Browne. It depends on the class, but honest to god our DC did not mix well at all. Kids will ridicule your child if they aren't a good fit, and the teachers don't do jack.

Please go Burgundy.

Wow! We’re at Browne now and have concerns, wish I could pick your brain. The social scene is very tough at Browne given the small size and our kids are definitely victims of bullies with little action from the teachers or administration. Also, the caliber of students they admit or allow to stay is astounding. One parent commented to me that this place is turning into a refuge for SSSAS rejects and PG county parents escaping their public school system. The most disruptive students with very clear behavioral issues are allowed to stay because the school has such low enrollment. Current 3rd grade class has only 7 kids.

As a parent at Browne from PG County, I'm not sure how to feel about the mention of PG County. Yes, we attend Browne to escape our public school system but isn't that the same reason why you attend Browne? To escape public schools in VA? Actually, no need to worry about this PG County parent because my child will be attending SSSAS next school year. FWIW, grades after 1st grade and class sizes are super small. It almost feels like a bunch of homeschooled children getting together. For the price tag, you can get much better in close proximity. Pre school is amazing but after experiencing this years 1st grade, we applied out for 2nd grade.

Love your homeschool comment. It does feel like that at times.

It really does. I told my husband I felt like we were taking our daughter to the library to meet with other home schooled children. *smh*