John Burroughs School

Burroughs is an inclusive college preparatory day school for students in grades 7-12. The Burroughs experience is distinguished by objectives set by our founders in 1923, including a mix of informality, community service and traditions such as morning assembly and family-style lunch, which bring us together daily. Our world-class faculty average 21 years teaching experience and 78% hold advanced degrees. They interact with students beyond the classroom in an atmosphere that fosters independence while providing individual academic and personal support.

Burroughs strives to instill the joy of living through active learning, integrity, and service to others. We seek to cultivate an inclusive community that nurtures authentic learners who lead and inspire meaningful lives. At Burroughs, we do so by valuing and learning from our differences, embracing challenges and championing growth, fostering a culture of great expectations, teaching empathy and the power of service, and offering a balanced and broad experience. We believe that the many dimensions of diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential to excellence in education, and they are woven into the fabric of the Burroughs experience. 

Faculty, parents, and students share a commitment to a liberal arts education that strikes a balance among academics, arts, athletics, and activities. We put a premium on ethics, diversity, student government, technology, outdoor education and a variety of international programs. Our size is critical. Maximum enrollment is 660, averaging 110 students per grade. Students engage in approximately 70 student-run, faculty-sponsored activities---from Animal Allies to Super Mileage Vehicle Club, from Mock Trial to Ping-Pong.

Our current seventh grade class comes from 32 public, parochial and independent schools and 35 zip codes. Of the current seventh graders, 46% identify as students of color. Admission is based on school records, recommendations, an entrance examination and an interview. Personal qualities are a major consideration. 25% of our students receive tuition aid, and no one should fail to apply to Burroughs because of financial need.