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D
Schools in Burlington · Burlington City School District

Burlington’s public schools score below 95% of New Jersey districts on tests and graduation

In Burlington, 10% of tested students are proficient in math, below the New Jersey average (36%). 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 New Jersey, not nationally.

#446of 465 New Jersey townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New Jersey state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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.

Reading proficiency
23%
▼ 26 pts vs NJ 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
10%
▼ 26 pts vs NJ 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
75–79%
▼ 12–16 pts vs NJ 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$28.3K
▼ 1% vs NJ $28.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.0
NJ 11.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
1,779 students on the public path
In brief

Burlington’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 23% of tested students were proficient in reading and 10% in math, against 49% and 36% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey (the state reports Burlington’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $28,268 per student, against $28,441 across New Jersey (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one middle school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 3 the district’s path is Wilbur Watts Intermediate School, then Burlington City High School. Enrollment is up 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Doane Academy (private) and St. Paul School (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Burlington’s grade

D Test scoresD− Graduation

D: better than 5% of New Jersey school districts, #446 of 465 New Jersey towns. Both inputs trail the New Jersey average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

New Jersey school districts we grade (651)Better than 5%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Jersey towns with similar household incomes (331)Better than 4%
D−DA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 840 test results and a graduating class of 147 could put Burlington anywhere from D− to D. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Burlington’s students in the tested grades sat them (836 in math, 843 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Burlington, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–22 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
3–6Wilbur Watts Intermediate SchoolBurlington City School DistrictD
7–12Burlington City High SchoolBurlington City School DistrictC−

Burlington’s public schools are run by Burlington City School District. 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.

Burlington City School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,779 students, up 5% since 2020–21 · 10.0 per teacher (NJ 11.6)
$28,268NJ $28,441 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading23%
State average 48.6% · 843 students tested
Math10%
State average 35.5% · 836 students tested

Burlington vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Burlington’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BurlingtonDBurlington City
Burlington TownshipB−Burlington Township

Bristol, PA borders Burlington but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.

Every school in Burlington

6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New Jersey’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Burlingtonby address
Samuel Smith Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
310 students9:1Rate it →
Captain James Lawrence Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–2
229 students10:1Rate it →
Wilbur Watts Intermediate School
Elementary · Grades 3–6
D
483 students10:1Rate it →
Burlington City High School
High · Grades 7–12
C−
757 students10:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Doane Academy
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
233 students6:1Rate it →
St. Paul School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
196 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Burlington’s schools

Are Burlington’s schools good?

On New Jersey’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Burlington children attend score below 95% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #446 of 465 New Jersey towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 4%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Burlington in?

Burlington City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,779 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

What is Burlington’s graduation rate?

75–79% of the class of 2023 in Burlington City School District graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.

How much does Burlington spend per student?

$28,268 in Burlington City School District (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Burlington?

Yes: Doane Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 233 students) and St. Paul School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 196 students).

Parents talk

What Burlington families are saying about school.

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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 New Jersey. Stars are from neighbors.