Diversity and Equity

Quotes

"I like Burgundy because you can be who you are and be respected. Everyone's not the same."

Student

"We affirm the unwritten agreement of the founders that Burgundy ... is open to all families who are in agreement with the basic principles as stated in the brochure. The Director, Enrollment Committee and Personnel Committee are instructed to act upon application of children and employment of staff without regard to race or creed."

April 19, 1950, Burgundy's Board adopted this resolution and presented it to a crowded room of parents at the Annual Corporation Meeting on May 1, 1950

"One of the most fascinating things, educationally and sociologically, about Burgundy during the 50s and early 60s, at least for myself as an African American, was that I lived in two worlds simultaneously. One was the world that Burgundy reflected, where I celebrated Chanukah as well as Christmas, Easter as well as Passover, and Succoth as well as Thanksgiving, and where we learned early on that people were people and diversity was a positive factor in life. The other world was Alexandria, Virginia, which had in those days almost every institution, including its churches and cemeteries, segregated. A friend of mine in another context called it 'growing up amphibious.'

The decision to strive for an integrated educational environment was not without controversy, even among those who were the school's first families. I am only glad the decision was made as it was in the 50s, because it meant for me that my own unique heritage was affirmed there while I lived and studied in a wider context. That's what got me through the 60s and the 70s!"

Tony Lewis '61

Board of Trustees' Vision Statement for Diversity

Diversity at Burgundy Right from the Start

As an educational institution founded upon the principles of diversity, Burgundy Farm Country Day School vigorously pursues a campus community that reflects the diverse country in which we live. We are conscious and appreciative of the uniqueness of each individual and embrace the commonalities and differences among us.

Historically, diversity at Burgundy began in 1950 when it became the first racially integrated school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We honor this tradition and continue to evolve to include people of all ethnicities, races, religions, socioeconomic groups, cultures, colors, sexual orientations, and gender groups.

Toward this end, Burgundy demonstrates its commitment to diversity through its policies and practices in all areas, including but not limited to:

• Admissions
• Curricular and program development
• Faculty and staff recruitment
• Governance
• Parent involvement; and
• Business relationships and outsource services.

We pledge to uphold these principles and policies and provide leadership in their pursuit, with the expectation that all members of our community will support these diversity goals.

Our Commitment

Burgundy's founders were united by a vision of a small, cooperatively owned school serving an ethnically, racially and economically diverse student body. The vision is very much alive, as is evident in the Long Range Plan adopted by the Board of Trustees in September 2000. This statement indicates the school's long adherence to those founders' beliefs:

Burgundy's commitment to diversity has been an essential part of the school's mission for 50 years. As the first racially integrated school in the state of Virginia, Burgundy has been a leader in seeking to be a diverse community of students, faculty, staff and families. The goal of a diverse school community is to prepare its students to participate productively and take leadership in an increasingly multicultural world.

Diversity at many levels – racial and cultural, academic and economic – guides the creation of our student body. Students eager to learn in a challenging, hands-on academic program come from all over the Washington metropolitan region and include representatives of racial and cultural groups in this area. The school states its commitment to diversity in the mission statement and in the diversity and multicultural affairs section of the school's Parent Handbook and School Directory that each family receives. Our anti-discrimination policy reads: Burgundy Farm Country Day School admits students of any race, color, religion, gender, and national or ethnic origin. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, national or ethnic origin in the administration of our educational policies, admission policies, personnel polices, scholarship program, or any other school-administered programs and activities.

The school has worked very hard in the last few years to increase the outreach activities conducted to support diversity in all aspects of the community. The Parents of African American Students Group meets several times during the year. We also have a newly formed Parents of Hispanic/Latino Children Group on campus that meets several times a year to discuss issues of relevance to their children and the community. Burgundy is also a member of the Black Student Fund, the Latino Student Fund, the Northern Virginia Coalition for Diversity and the Metropolitan D.C. Diversity Coordinators Association.

We pledge to uphold these principles and policies and provide leadership in their pursuit, with the expectation that all members of our community will support these diversity goals.

2007-08 School Year