Diversity

Establishing diverse learning communities that ensure equity and inclusion and support social justice action is at the heart of the progressive educational philosophy that drove our founders and grounds our work today.

With an unshakeable belief in the progressive educational tenet that the truest and deepest learning comes from day to day experiences in authentic relationships with others, Burgundy’s Founders moved quickly to racially integrate first the faculty and then the student body. Becoming the first racially integrated school in the state of Virginia, in 1950, before desegregation laws were passed and enacted was a bold moment of social justice action.

Current research supports what our founders knew then: diverse classrooms provide for more authentic learning and decision making and lead to innovation. Today we remain true to our history and work actively to maintain a diverse community.

The curriculum our diverse learners encounter leads with the exploration of the multicultural heritages of our student body and of our country. In our classrooms books and materials encourage students to share their personal heritage stories and explore those of others. Families are enthusiastically encouraged to participate in this process.

Our goal is for each student to feel known, understood and to learn to know and understand others by learning about the range of traditions that have and continue to drive human accomplishment. Included in this understanding of cultures is the exploration of the difficult dynamics that can occur when cultures intersect including discrimination and oppression.

The final outcome we seek is to empower each student to understand and celebrate our differences, the common threads that bind us and learn to lead the process of inclusion and achieving equity. From celebrating each other and making sure no one is left out in JK to in the middle school years developing social justice projects to fight for authentic inclusion at school and in our country positive outcomes of this process abound.

Burgundy’s Diversity and Equity Statement

Approved by the Board of Trustees in September 2016

Burgundy embraces the actions needed to maintain a diverse school community and facilitate the complex conversations that will help us all make sense of history, current events, and our ever-evolving world. Our children are coming of age in an increasingly diverse and globalized world, and they must be prepared for it. A Burgundy Farm Country Day School graduate will embody the sensibilities and demonstrate the knowledge necessary to lead from a position of multicultural and cross-cultural competence in order to:

recognize and connect with our common humanity;
acknowledge and have empathy for the different and at times painful experiences of others;
foster the sharing of diverse values and ideas;
facilitate engagement in creative and innovative processes of change as advocates for justice and equity; and
become a thoughtful leader in a world that is more complex and diverse than ever before.

We integrated that little school [in 1950], not as a challenge to anybody, not as a precedent, just because it seemed a good thing to do, on behalf of our own children, who must learn to live, after all, in a country that doesn’t belong to any particular group.
— Eric S., CBS journalist and Burgundy founding parent, 1959

Burgundy’s mission is to prepare the “whole child for the whole world,” which means embracing diversity and ensuring that all community members know they are welcomed, respected, and appreciated. Research supports what we have practiced since 1946: complex problems are solved best when people work together, valuing and drawing on their different knowledge, experiences, skills, and perspectives.

We expect that all Burgundy community members will join in all efforts to ensure diversity and equity in our school and its programs. Toward this end, Burgundy demonstrates its commitment to diversity and equity through:

Admission and enrollment
Staff recruitment and retention
Curricular and program development
Faculty/staff training
Governance and policy
Parent involvement
Programs of support for students, staff, and community members

We pledge to uphold these principles and policies and provide leadership in their pursuit.

The Scope of Diversity includes- but is not limited to:

Age
Ability
Ethnicity
Gender/Gender Identity and Expression
Learning Differences/Styles
Race
Religion/Spirituality
Sexual Orientation
Socioeconomic Status

Spring Sports Recap from Jerad

May 30, 2023

Our spring teams have become more competitive; the teamwork throughout the school day and during games is beautiful to see, and the leadership from our 8th graders has been phenomenal.

Racial Justice Statement

Trans/Nonbinary Policy

Resources for Families

AIM Survey

Burgundy is a one-of-a-kind independent school for Junior Kindergarten through 8th Grade. We believe children learn best in an inclusive, creative, and nurturing environment that engages the whole child.

3700 Burgundy Road
Alexandria, VA 22303
703.960.3431

Accredited by: