Anonymous wrote:We are as socially progressive as you can get in a suit, and the entire scene was way too much for us. From the first-name shtick to the admin who found Quaker school "too conservative," to the academics. No multiple-choice tests ever. All work is a group project. Mixed-level classrooms. Favored parents traipsing into classes and "teaching." All kids at group tables. All of this is against a backdrop of pretend-Bohemian rich parents, of course. And the moment we raised an issue of real concern to us, the door was slammed. It's not a matter of "fit;" the place is simply not what it advertises, in our opinion.

Not as advertised? This IS what is advertised, except the part about fake-boho parents. All the things you did not like are the reasons
We like it. Yes, that is "fit."

Anonymous wrote:What's up with departure of middle school head?

The new MS head? Please clarify -- gone already?

We are as socially progressive as you can get in a suit, and the entire scene was way too much for us. From the first-name shtick to the admin who found Quaker school "too conservative," to the academics. No multiple-choice tests ever. All work is a group project. Mixed-level classrooms. Favored parents traipsing into classes and "teaching." All kids at group tables. All of this is against a backdrop of pretend-Bohemian rich parents, of course. And the moment we raised an issue of real concern to us, the door was slammed. It's not a matter of "fit;" the place is simply not what it advertises, in our opinion.

What's up with departure of middle school head?

I also think that a question like "how strong is Burgundy academically" is the wrong question in a way. I would say that the school itself is more laid back and less academically-focused/driven than many other schools. The kids, however, tend to be very bright kids from well-educated families that care about education. Take kids like that and put them pretty much anywhere that is not absolutely awful and they will do fine, as evidenced by Burgundy's very good exmissions and college admissions. I think an academically marginal kid would not do well at burgundy, and a very academically driven/competitive kid might be unhappy b/c of lack of "advanced" opportunities. But your basic bright, curious, happy kid will do well.

So I guess it all comes back to whether it is a good fit for the child and faily.

I think Burgundy may not be a great fit if you consider yourself very traditional. We are very happy with it, but we have a fairly relaxed attitude towards school... We are a-okay with things like kids calling teachers by the first names and with a certain amount of controlled chaos. I totally get, though, that Burgundy's idiosyncrasies are not for everyone.

But that said, it is all relative. I don't think Burgundy is perfect, at all. There are things that bother me and worry me. But when I consider the other options, from public to other privates, I don't see anything that is "perfect." Each school involves certain trade-offs. Price, convenience, academic quality, culture, teacher dedication and enthusiasm, you name it-- you are unlikely to find absolutely everything you want in a single school. For us, Burgundy offered the best mix, or the least-bad set off trade offs, and out kids have been happy and successful there.

DC is starting in the LS in the fall and we're a bit nervous already. This thread is certainly not helping us feel at ease... I'm worried we're too traditional for this to work out well.

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious if some of the less-satisfied parents can tell us when the issues became obvious to them? Did you have a nagging feeling from the start that it might not be the right fit? Or was it fine for a while, them didn't meet your needs in upper grades?

In our case, the 2d semester was infinitely worse than the first. Thing went from generally OK to really lousy. But our experience may not have been typical. We had multiple withdrawals the year we pulled; some families had been long-term, some not. I honestly don't know that there's a single, common answer that you'd get.

I'm curious if some of the less-satisfied parents can tell us when the issues became obvious to them? Did you have a nagging feeling from the start that it might not be the right fit? Or was it fine for a while, them didn't meet your needs in upper grades?

Any new news at Burgundy, or is the summer typically a quiet time?

I don't think anyone's questioning people's "right" to have different opinions. What people are suggesting is that angry rants offering no specificity aren't very credible.

It was a love, love, love relationship...but things changed radically. And again.... This a forum, free speech, I tend not to criticize what others have to say other than express what has happened to us in the last two years. That's all. I don't understand the "name calling". We are talking about a school for God's sake!

Discovering over time or all at once that a school is not the correct place for your child and/or your family is not an experience unique to Burgundy ... thus I really don't see the school as "controversial" any more than any other school. If a school is working for your child and your family, you stay and contribute to the community. If it is not, then if you have any sense, you find a school that you believe is a better match and you leave. Why you would continue to feel such anger and betrayal is strange to me ... it's just a change in schools. It's not a divorce.

20:33 Can you expand about your experience? I see the words perceived and believe... Did you experience everything you wrote or just other parents? I'm a current parent and would like to know more.

Wow. We have two children who are relatively recent graduates of Burgundy who felt their experience there was magical. I think every school has disgruntled parents. However, most of the families that seek out Burgundy want the kind of freedom it provides. And it is clear that certain children thrive in Burgundy's environment, as the recent college matriculation list suggests.