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The Cove at Burgundy.
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Burgundy is a cooperative enterprise in which a community of students, teachers, and families work together to benefit the educational process, serving Junior Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Instilled in the mission, Burgundy believes that children learn best in an inclusive, creative, and nurturing environment that engages the whole child. Burgundy’s innovative, hands-on approach to education cultivates independent thinking, promotes academic excellence, instills respect for diversity, and teaches responsibility for self, for others, and the natural world.
FOUNDED ON AN OLD DAIRY FARM
Burgundy’s founders and parents pledged, “a part of ourselves, our time, our energy and skill of mind and body” to the school. Taking over an old dairy farm, parents cleaned and painted barns and farmhouses, creating classrooms and the school office. In the school’s early days, parents operated the library and admissions office. Today, parent participation continues to be a vital part of the life of the school. Parents help on campus and on overnight trips to the wildlife center, and they serve on the Board of Trustees and committees. Parent work is chiefly responsible for the success of our well-loved community events like the Fall Fair and the Annual Auction.
NOT ONE, BUT TWO SPACES FOR EXPLORATION
Burgundy students enjoy two amazing campuses. The main campus is 26 partially wooded acres, just off the Beltway of metropolitan Washington, DC. Many people can feel the change in environment as they drive onto the gravel road that leads into our Alexandria campus. The second space is the Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies at Cooper’s Cove, approximately 2.5 hours from Alexandria near Capon Bridge, West Virginia, and is nestled in 506 acres of a secluded valley. This wildlife sanctuary and educational program is owned and run by the school. Beginning in first grade, students and teachers spend 2-3 days each fall and spring for academic immersive learning linked with lessons in Alexandria. This immersive programming takes advantage of the diverse natural setting and resources and focuses on natural science.
ROOTED IN PROGRESSIVE TRADITION
At its heart, a progressive school seeks to involve all members of the community in learning. Students are given a strong voice and stake in the learning process, from deciding how to show their understanding of a given topic, to helping shape the units of study themselves. Teachers are guides and partners in the learning process and listen deeply and carefully to the students. Learning is active and experiential and often integrates various subject matter as students work towards greater understanding. Burgundy students learn beyond four walls, utilizing both the natural environments afforded on the campuses, as well as all the DC metro area has to offer. They go beyond this learning and take action, both through community service and social justice projects, to make positive change. Students leave Burgundy with strong voices, minds, and hearts.
DISCOVER BURGUNDY
To learn more about the Burgundy experience for your child, visit burgundyfarm.org or email info@burgundyfarm.org.
