Foxcroft School (Middleburg, VA)

It’s easy to predict with some certainty what most people familiar with Foxcroft School would list as the most unique feature of the all-girls boarding school: sleeping porches. While, perhaps not what one would list as the school’s best selling point, they are truly something that most current and past students talk about and, at least from what I gathered during my visit, actually like. However, I’m curious to know if notable Foxcroft alum Keshia Knight Pulliam (that’s right, “Rudy” from The Cosby Show) thought the porches were better than bunking with Vanessa!

Though the sleeping porches were, at one point, simply unheated screened in rooms with rows of bunk beds, there’s no need to worry about cold nights anymore. The school has since covered the screens with glass windows and added heat. In some ways the sleeping porches reminded me of military-style barracks…just much more girly and smelling much better! In addition to the porches, all 180 students at the school have a smaller double room with desks, dressers and closets so there is an opportunity for them to have some private space.

My tour guides at Foxcroft, Jessa and Maeve, really loved the dorm life at the school (even without TV’s in the dorms!) and the friendships they had made. The students I met during my visit seemed much younger than those I’ve interacted with at most other all-girls schools…as in, they acted their age. It felt as if the Foxcroft community embraces the girls as young women, giggling and all, without pushing them to act as if they were in college.

During our tour we were able to see the newly opened Athletic/Student Center on the school’s 500-acre campus. This will be an absolute show piece for visitors to the school in the future. The building features many multipurpose spaces as well as improved indoor athletic and dance facilities. Girls at the school are required to participate in a sport/activity during each of the three seasons and this is a building in which I’m sure they won’t mind spending their time.

The Riding Program at Foxcroft has nearly the same historical tenure as the school itself (the school was founded in 1914), and today about 1/3 of the students participate. The school barn features 60 stalls with 30 school-owned horses.

Students from beginner to advanced can find an appropriate level of instruction through the program and competitive riders will certainly find a high level of competition. Another unique equine-related feature of the school is the Foxhunting Team. The Team travels around the world and spent time in 2009 participating in a foxhunt in Ireland.