JBS at Its Core

Burroughs brings the liberal arts model to secondary education, offering a core curriculum that supports a broad base of knowledge and skills in the humanities; STEM; the arts; athletics, health and wellness; global and cultural competency; and service and sustainability.

The atmosphere on campus is informal because it is our experience that when students are comfortable in their environment, they are in a better mindset for learning, and they put their energies to best use.

Chief among our core values is a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusivity, and engagement (DEIE). We are committed to a diverse student body and faculty because we are keenly aware that our differences are a large part of what makes us a strong and vibrant community. 

We believe all students benefit from a school community that is intentionally diverse and inclusive, and equitable. The range of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds brought to the community enriches learning at Burroughs.

Burroughs has moved deliberately from awareness to commitment to action. 

• In the past 10 years, our percentage of students of color has risen from 28 to 43%.
• In the 2020-2021 school year, 167 students receive tuition assistance, up from 124 in the 2009-2010 school year; as a percentage of the student body receiving tuition aid, this reflects an increase from 21.1 to 25.5%. Over that same period, tuition aid as part of the school’s operating budget has risen from 11.6 to 15.6%.
• The curriculum includes a four-year seminar sequence to ensure all students build cultural/global competency skills.
• In addition to a Board of Trustees diversity & education committee, a faculty/staff committee was created to focus on curriculum, professional development, and the overall campus environment. (About a third of the faculty/staff are directly engaged.)
• All faculty and staff members must commit to cultural competency training and are offered opportunities for one-on-one coaching.
• Student affinity and culture groups (African American, Asian, Jewish, LGBTQIA+, Muslim, Christian, LatinX, and Alliance for Whites against Racism Everywhere) have been established to give students space to help them engage inter-culturally and contribute to community-wide conversations.
• Students are surveyed annually using an inclusivity index that we built (and is now used by other schools around the nation) to seek a deeper understanding of the student experience at Burroughs—identifying what we are doing well and areas that require greater attention.
• The school has received two EE Ford grants to help build and host The Equity Exchange, a summer institute bringing together public and private educators from across the nation to share strategic solutions.
• Our Community & Equity Partnership engages parents/guardians, faculty/staff, and alums in ongoing programming and education.