Browne Academy

My child must be in a different school compared to the most recent reviewers. Our experience is more in alignment with the "will be leaving" parent from November 26, 2012 review...
—Submitted by a parent

Browne Academy is a wonderful school with supportive teachers and a wonderful student body. My child has thrived and grown so much due to teachers that truly care and love the kids. The environment is friendly and the resources are great. I have only seen children enjoy, thrive, and love coming to school. Browne is a great choice!
—Submitted by a parent

Browne is a loving and nurturing community. The children enjoy coming to schools everyday. It is a positive and welcoming environment and my children are having a great experience. If you are looking for a school that really knows the students, Browne is the perfect school.

Browne's teaching philosophy is to deny students the opportunity to study those things that interest them so they are "stretched" by studying what they dislike. This is wildly inappropriate in the early grades and taught our children to hate school and to see teachers as abusive and capricious. Browne kindergarten is not bad, but get out after that!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is thriving at Browne Academy! The preschool is a special place where she is loved and cared for by kind and pleasant teachers. The director of the preschool is a friendly and helpful presence at the school. I love the small class sizes and all the activities(art, library, PE, music, math, reading, handwriting, French!) my daughter is engaged in everyday. She is building a very strong academic and social foundation, I couldn't be happier with her development since we started at Browne!
—Submitted by a parent

Most reviews seem to be from younger parents. It does not get better. Disciplinary issues, academics for above average students, bullying, lack of leadership, constant hounding for donations, etc are all issues at Browne. Not what we wanted or expected. Will be leaving!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children attending Browne Academy. The both love going to school every day. Browne is a warm and nurturing environment that has allowed my kids to flourish socially and educationally. What a wonderful caring place!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been a student at Browne Academy for the past seven years. I have seen him mature and thrive due to the stong academic and nurturing environment at Browne. His academic abilities exceed those of the public school at the same level and he continues to be motivated to learn. Am I happy with everything - of course not. But as a parent I remain involved with my son's education and speak up and out often. The classes are small and most teachers are very passionate and really get to know the children they teach. I would like to see better leadership and involvement from the heads of school - a changing of the guard is needed.
—Submitted by a parent

We've had a great experience at Browne! We have found the faculty and administration very open and accessbile. Whenver I've requested an appointment, I've been given the opportunity to meet with them. My son's teacher always responds to my questions and concerns. We couldn't be happier with the level of attention he receives and the quality of the education. The class size is amazing.
—Submitted by a parent

As a new parent, I am thrilled with the quality of education at Browne Academy. The administration has been approachable and extremely knowledgeable. The teachers are genuinely invested in the students, and the parent community has been fantastic! We couldn't ask for a better fit for our son!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a new parent to Browne's preschool. After leaving daycare behind, I have been thoroughly impressed by the loving education environment that my little one is in. She goes happily to school each day and is able to participate in many different activities each day. She even has French class daily!!! The preschool head is loving, and takes it upon herself to visit with the children each day. Her class even has a blog! It is a great way to see wha adventures my child has each day.
—Submitted by a parent

As a past parent of the school I am frequently asked "What's Browne Academy really like". I will tell you honestly that this school prepared both of my children for great success in all their future learning esp. H.S. . My children were very different learners and both were given an opportunity to achieve their very best while at Browne Academy. They were encouraged through the compassion and skill of some of the very best teacher that my children have ever had. The environment is one that truly acts on values in education like community and excellence. They have a love for leaning that was inspired in their years at Browne that continues today.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a student that just graduated from Browne after 11 years and is in a nearby private high-school, I must say that Browne did a wonderful job of preparing her. She is a confident , articulate and independent student. Academically, she spends very little time studying at night and often says she can't believe how well Browne got her ready for high-school. The staff is professional and caring. We truly feel blessed to have found Browne Academy!!
—Submitted by a parent

After six years at Browne Academy we have watched our son blossom from a timid non-read in kindergarten to a self advocate in his current year. His reading, comprehension and critical level thinking levels have increased well past his current grade level. The staff at Browne are nurturing, get to know their students and take a genuine interest in making sure each child succeeds. I wish the school went up to 12th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

I must admit that I'm somewhat surprised to see the quality of some of the reviews here about Browne. We first visited the school upon moving to the area for my 2nd grader who needs a nurturing environment to thrive. We had heard great things about Browne but what we actually saw was entirely contradictory. After waiting at the administration office for nearly an hour after our scheduled meeting time with admissions, he finally showed up and breathlessly muttered some excuses and then hurriedly introduced us to the Headmistress - who was meandering around the property with her dog. She looked somewhat irritated that we interrupted her quiet time and curtly introduced herself and then walked on. We then went to meet with the head of the lower school who seemed to take personal offense to any question we asked and did a poor job at crafting responses that varied between terse or passive aggressive. Is this the same school everyone else is reviewing? Needless to say we moved on down the road, although we were disappointed- but these people will have my kid for most of the day. The place got good reviews in the past but it really didn't feel like the place had it together. What gives?
—Submitted by a parent

Browne Academy is an amazing school!! It's the best Independent school in Northern Virginia for JK - 8th grade. The staff is amazing, they truly care about the kids and really get to know your children. The school is very diverse and inclusive and all kids feel welcomed and comfortable in this enviornment. The curriculm is amazing , the kids will be pushed to exceed there absolute best academic achivement!
—Submitted by a parent

Browne Academy has over the past 8 years has prepared my son for wherever he may land in high school. The writing curriculum is solid and probably at the high school level; the science and math upper middle school curriculums were far above and beyond what I ever learned at that age and the teachers are caring and generous with their time. If you are looking for a small school where you child will excel in academics and encouraged to strive for their best, Browne is probably the best value and most under rated private school in the Northern VA area.
—Submitted by a parent

Yes, while students are at Browne, they don't like it very much, they don't appreciate it, but in high school, it prepares them so much for what they will have to face with their excellent faculty that always put the children first. And the kids earn great friends that follow them past graduation.

As a parent whose child has been at Browne for 5 years and a former educational professional, I would like to say that the curriculum offered at this school is 1-2 years above what is offered at the nearby public schools. Browne students are challenged, encouraged, and supported by caring professionals who love their jobs and support the Browne community. At the middle school level, students are expected to complete 2-3 hours of homework per night. If the students and parents manage their time, it is workable, even with extra curricular activities. The benefits of a small, nurturing school far outweigh those of surrounding schools where the student/teacher ratio is 1:25.
—Submitted by a parent

As parents with a preschooler at Browne Academy, we've been very pleased with the staff and curriculum. The teachers in the PS are warm and nuturing, and provide an environment for our child to learn through both a montessori and structured type of program. Our child is happy, always excited to go to school, and we are very pleased with the education and attention she is receiving. We are looking forward to another great year in the fall.
—Submitted by a parent