Photo: Ian Poellet · CC BY-SA 3.0Burlington’s public schools score below 99% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 42% of Burlington’s students scored proficient, below the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Burlington, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.
From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Burlington’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 54% of tested students were proficient in reading and 42% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
65% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,430 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Edward Stone Middle School, then Burlington Community High School. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Notre Dame Elementary School (private) and Burlington Notre Dame Inc (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Burlington’s grade
D−: better than 1% of Iowa school districts, #139 of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Burlington, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Burlington
Corse Early Childhood Center
Grades PK · 177 students · 24:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Burlington
Aldo Leopold Intermediate School
Grades 5–6 · 412 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Burlington
Aldo Leopold Intermediate School
Grades 5–6 · 412 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Burlington
Edward Stone Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 452 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Burlington
Edward Stone Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 452 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Burlington
Burlington Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,016 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Burlington
Burlington Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,016 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Burlington
Burlington Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,016 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Burlington
Burlington Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,016 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Burlington’s public schools are run by Burlington Community School District, which also serves Middletown and West Burlington. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Burlington vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Burlington’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington | D− | Burlington |
| West Burlington | D− | West Burlington Independent PK–12 · Burlington PK–12 |
Carman, IL, Gladstone, IL and Gulfport, IL border Burlington but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.
Every school in Burlington
10 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Burlington’s schools
Are Burlington’s schools good?
On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Burlington children attend score below 99% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Burlington in?
Burlington Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,140 students in 8 schools (2024–25).
Where do Burlington kids go to high school?
Burlington Community High School, with 1,016 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Burlington’s graduation rate?
65% of the class of 2023 in Burlington Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Burlington spend per student?
$15,430 in Burlington Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Burlington?
Yes: Notre Dame Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 428 students) and Burlington Notre Dame Inc (Catholic, grades PK–12, 427 students).
Parents talk
What Burlington families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Burlington → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.