Best Schools in Burbank, California

Burbank's public school system spans 29 ranked schools with an average score of 6.4 out of 10 — a solid baseline that sits comfortably above many comparable California cities. The district mixes traditional neighborhood elementaries with a strong cluster of PUC charter schools that push performance well above city averages. With 9 schools scoring 7 or higher, 31% of Burbank's ranked schools clear that threshold, giving families real options across grade levels.

The charter sector drives the top of the performance range. PUC Milagro Charter leads all Burbank public schools with a 9.2 out of 10, making it one of the highest-performing elementary programs in the city. PUC Community Charter Elementary follows closely at 9.0. Both sit in a tier well above the city average. The PUC network extends into middle school as well — PUC Inspire Charter Academy scores 8.2, and PUC Excel Charter Academy scores 7.7, giving families who enter the PUC pipeline a consistent high-performing path from elementary through middle grades.

Traditional public elementaries also deliver. R. L. Stevenson Elementary scores 8.0, showing that strong options exist outside the charter system. Parents who prefer a neighborhood school over a charter application process still have a capable option among the top five performers citywide. The spread between the top school (9.2) and the city average (6.4) is meaningful, so school selection within Burbank matters more than simply moving to the city.

Practically, parents prioritizing academics should research PUC charter availability early — charter seats are limited and often require applications with deadlines well before the school year. For elementary families not in the charter system, Stevenson gives a viable alternative in the top performance tier. Middle school options are more concentrated at the top end, with two PUC charters leading the pack. The 31% of schools scoring 7 or above means roughly one in three Burbank public schools clears a strong-performance bar, so zoned assignment is worth examining closely rather than assuming neighborhood placement. Cross-referencing a home address against school attendance boundaries before committing to a location will pay off.