What is ACDS?

As many posters have said, Burgundy and SSSAS have very different vibes. We toured both and decided not to apply to Burgundy for DC. We applied to ACDS, SSSAS, and Congressional, all of which we thought would fit DC a little better. Burgundy is a great school and works really well for the people who are attracted to it. We had some interactions with the administration at Burgundy that really helped to push us in another direction when combined with some other concerns regarding the school.

Rely on what you find on the tours and take little stock in most posts on this site. Not specifically calling out other posts above but just know it can get out of hand.

That said my DC (into sports) was at Burgundy all 10 years and is now in HS at SSSAS.

The Burgundy experience for my DC was so impactful. They came out independent, able to advocate for themselves, interested in learning, with a core group of friends they still regularly connect with, the learning and play outdoors as well as Cove trips, all so meaningful. And probably more that I can't think of. We would do it all again.

I don't doubt SSSAS is wonderful too for the non-HS grades and DC has made great friendships with long term SSSAS students.

But again, tour both. Ask questions. Seek out opportunities to see the campuses when events are going on such as Burgunday's Fall Fair and SSSAS Fall Festival.

Good luck.

Check out ACDS!

We did Burgundy for elementary and middle during covid and I loved it - beautiful campus, lots of outdoor classes during the day in addition to recess, bi-annual camping trips for the whole grade, etc. Academics were strong. Music and sports... well, it's a very small school, so they have to work with the talent pool they have.

Moved to public after Burgundy and it was night and day. I would say it was much bigger so more opportunities (and a peer group) to really excel in any given area (academics, sports, arts) but also a lot of behavior problems and distractions that make it easier to go off the rails as well.

Anonymous wrote:OP if you are wedded to Alexandria schools, then look at ACDS, too. I’d also encourage you to look further at other VA or DC privates. We’re a former SSSAS family who switched to a different VA k-12 and could not be happier. There was a bit of a rough adjustment as my kids were behind in certain subjects, but they’re now thriving. With Alexandria traffic, it’s not necessarily much longer of a commute to look out of Alexandria, and bus service makes it easy.

What do you think was the challenge they were facing at SSSAS? And which school did you move them to? I would like to take that into consideration.

^Geez, typo riddled, sorry. Should have been “DC’s best friend there was a transfer from Burgundy.”

We looked at Burgundy and Congressional for our 4th grader and went with Congressional (DC best friend their was a transfer from Burgundy, in fact), and DC is now at SSSAS for HS and loving it. DC’s particular grade at SSSAS seems to have had some rocky personalities in 7th and 8th but I do think those middle school years can be unpredictable anywhere and it depends so much on the particular cohort of kids. It’s not an issue now in HS. But we loved Congressional and as a result I’m generally pro-k8 if it works for a family. You could go from Burgundy to SSSAS for HS.

What grades? We’ve been very happy at Burgundy for elementary and middle school. It’s a very nurturing place that incorporates a lot of time outdoors. The parent community is engaged and friendly. Burgundy got a new strings instructor last year and she is really wonderful! One of our kids is in high school at SSSAS now. Burgundy usually sends a handful students there after eighth grade so that is an option to think about for down the road.

OP if you are wedded to Alexandria schools, then look at ACDS, too. I’d also encourage you to look further at other VA or DC privates. We’re a former SSSAS family who switched to a different VA k-12 and could not be happier. There was a bit of a rough adjustment as my kids were behind in certain subjects, but they’re now thriving. With Alexandria traffic, it’s not necessarily much longer of a commute to look out of Alexandria, and bus service makes it easy.

I’d go with SSSAS. The counseling for high school admissions at burgundy isn’t great and you could end up with a problem for high school. Your kids sound like traditional students and Burgundy attracts a lot of problematic kids that don’t do well in a traditional classroom. While, SSSAS has a reputation for allowing more accommodation than top privates in the area they still push kids out who can’t work within the environment.

Anonymous wrote:Completely different vibe at these two schools. Have you visited them?

Yes their summer camps only…we have tours set up with both for this early fall.

(In the Harry Potter Sorting Hat voice): I know just what to do with you…SSSAS!

Completely different vibe at these two schools. Have you visited them?

If anyone seriously considered these two schools for their elementary kids, what was the decision point? We are leaving FCPS and are considering Burgundy for it’s beautiful facilities, experiential learning and focus on environmental stewardship vs St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes which appears to have strong academic and sports. My son plays baseball, swims and plays violin at a very high level. Daughter swims, into gymnastics and plays a string instrument and is very artistic. We are completed disappointed in FCPS. Our kids have learned very little from actual school. They have learned way more from us and tutors.