One-of-a-Kind Campuses

Alexandria

The partially wooded Alexandria campus includes fields, a pond, a barn with farm animals and ample space to rove and explore. Classrooms reflect our belief that students learn best in a welcoming and friendly environment. Buildings are designed so that natural light pours in; and each classroom opens directly to the outdoors. Teachers also take advantage of a variety of campus spaces for instruction and hands-on science lessons. Our Alexandria campus has been called a “hidden gem” in a metropolitan area, and first-time visitors are often surprised that this unique setting and learning environment is so accessible.

West Virginia

The Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies at Cooper’s Cove is a 506-acre wildlife sanctuary near Capon Bridge, West Virginia, 2 1/2 hours from Alexandria. Beginning in first grade, students and teachers visit this beautiful remote valley for several days in the fall and spring for academic immersion. Programs at “the Cove” often take advantage of the location and focus on natural science, but the curriculum is always linked with lessons in Alexandria.

Home to diverse wildlife, Cooper’s Cove encompasses field, thicket, forest, stream, and pond. It extends to a ridge that provides a panoramic view of an Appalachian valley. The main building has an industrial kitchen, bathrooms and large rooms for gathering. Other facilities include two screened dorms and small cabins as well as a timber-framed barn. The remote setting and the deliberate avoidance of modern distractions provide students with a direct experience of nature that supports their growth as scientists, individuals, and responsible stewards of the planet.