It feels good to be a Spartan!
Rooted in core learning, character and community, our curriculum is progressive and focused on the creative and critical thinking skills needed in the 21st century. We intend to develop our students' intellectual curiosity, their love of learning and their desire to make a better world.
Our Spartan Pledge
When a student joins our community, they make a conscious decision to become a part of our community; a vibrant, passionate faculty, staff and student body that values the contributions of each individual.
Our Spartans: Exhibit Friendship • Demonstrate Leadership • Embrace Citizenship • Show Empathy • Live with Integrity • Honor Perseverance • Are Passionate • Strive for Intellectual Excellence
Think you can't afford a TBS education? Think again!
The Burlington School provides need-based assistance to deserving students, making the opportunity to benefit from our high-quality academic, arts and athletics programs accessible.
Our tuition aid process also allows the school to host a student body that reflects the social and economic diversity of our area. We award need-based tuition assistance to a number of students and families each year using a third party screening organization. Our confidential tuition aid process is intended to be a supplement to family resources. We firmly believe that no worth student should be deterred for financial reasons from applying to, and enrolling in, The Burlington School.
Discovery. Exploration. Play.
There isn't a day without play for preschoolers at TBS – we wouldn't have it any other way!
At The Burlington School, we teach our youngest learners through hands-on interaction and play, while learning to interact harmoniously with peers and teachers alike. Preschoolers receive an introduction to academic concepts through music, movement and interactive learning. Our youngest students' minds are stimulated through multiple gross motor centers as well as frequent rotations of toys and books. Spanish is introduced in Preschool 3 and remains an integral component of the preschool program, preparing students for Lower School and beyond.
Presented in a new format and delivery, our standards-based grading has increased information and a sharp focus on developing a growth mindset. It also emphasizes areas of strength and growth rather than just a numerical average; our 70+ indicators in gross and fine motor skills make for a comprehensive look at your growing learner.
Friendship. Creativity. Curiosity.
Friendships are made, creativity blossoms and curiosity is piqued at TBS. From the easel to the SmartBoard, our Lower School (Kindergarten through 4th grade) students are led down an intentional path to individualized growth goals.
Our elementary coursework builds the foundation for future success. In the Lower School, students have the opportunity to learn in myriad ways. Learning is interactive and thematic, and technology is an integral component of their coursework and academic activities.
Students in the Lower School continue their Spanish language training, and delve into science, math and social studies. Teaching is cross-curricular – music, art and drama integrate with the academic side of the school day. Teachers know their students, individual assessments are made and the coursework is tailored to each student's specific needs.
Global Citizenship.
What does it mean to be a global citizen? Our Middle School students contemplate their place in the world in every game, conversation and keystroke.
In the Middle School, students delve deeper – exploration, creation, reasoning and advocacy are core traits of the Middle School curriculum. In Middle School, our adolescent students learn to balance their coursework with their extracurricular activities. Through their advisory groups they learn study skills, organization and ownership while engaged in their learning.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side.
The Burlington School's signature program (May Term) present classes from beyond the school's usual curriculum. Students engage in experiential learning through travel, project-based learning and hands-on activities in offerings ranging from photography to backpacking, movie-making to carpentry – both on campus and out of state! Class trips are also held in the fall for grades 5-12 and are built into tuition so that every student makes unforgettable memories.
Confident. Cultured. College Ready.
The first Jefferson Scholar in Alamance County? Check. A Morehead-Cain Scholar? Check. All-state athletes and collegiate athletic signees? Absolutely.
The 34 members of the class of 2024 were awarded over $6.19 million in scholarships prior to their graduation. Members of that class were accepted to 91 colleges and universities. Each of our Spartans aim to become graduates of this caliber.
Arts Are Our Heart.
With over 170 years of combined teaching experience, The Burlington School's art faculty is distinguished, dedicated and demonstrative of all that is creative. We are lucky to have them. When your child enrolls here, they will be too.
CHORAL PROGRAM: Under the direction of Marshall Qualls, the integrated Middle and Upper School choral music program at TBS affords every student the opportunity to sing and perform locally, nationally and internationally. The choir presents a Holiday Concert and a Spring Musical Theatre Review annually. The choir has performed at The Biltmore in Asheville, N.C. and in Vienna, Austria.
VISUAL ARTS: Students have the opportunity to work with a variety of media – acrylics, watercolor, pottery, photography and graphic design. Our artists have won multiple local, state and regional awards and have traveled to places like New York City and Italy.
DRAMA: The drama program begins in Lower School. Reading Shakespeare, practicing monologues, honing public speaking skills and rehearsing for the annual TBS spring musical production are not uncommon facets of drama curriculum.
MUSIC: Music is integrated into the curriculum in preschool and continues throughout the Lower School. Middle School students have the option to continue music with electives.
ROCK ENSEMBLE: Nowhere else will you find such a group full of electric energy and talent! These performers work diligently to hone their skills on multiple instruments. Rock ensemble is open to Middle and Upper School students, where they create original pieces and perform other well-known tunes while developing collaborative skills. The cornerstone of the program is a focus on selflessness and dedication to the craft of music for the good of the ensemble.
DIGITAL DESIGN: Offered in our Upper School, our digital design program teaches the basics of graphic design, photo editing, video editing, website design and 3D design.
3D DESIGN AND PRINTING: Offered in out Middle School, 3D Design and Printing teaches core skills that help students understand how to design projects in 3D software, and create a final product.
DANCE: Dance is a staple of our Middle School elective program
YEARBOOK: Capturing the core memories of the school year, the yearbook class helps to build skill sets in photography, layout design, graphic design, copywriting and sales.
Why Not Win?
The Burlington School placed second in the state among 35 class 1A schools in the Wells Fargo Cup competition in 2018-19! Our programs have captured multiple conference and state titles, including state championships in basketball, golf, soccer and track in recent years.
The athletic program at TBS challenges students to pursue athletic excellence, while honoring each student as an individual with unique potential.