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Needs Improvement

#1246 of 1,280 schools in IA

Burlington Community High School

High School · Burlington Comm School District

421 Terrace Dr, Burlington, IA 52601

Enrollment

1,090

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

3.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Burlington

#8 of 8

public schools

Iowa high schools

#328 of 334

In district

#8 of 8

Burlington Comm School District

About Burlington Community High School

Burlington Community High School serves 1,090 students in grades 9-12 in Burlington, Iowa, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1 and 63 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a remote town setting, the school is working to improve academic outcomes, with 56% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and 39% proficient or above in mathematics. The school currently ranks #1254 out of 1288 Iowa high schools and maintains a focus on student development with room for academic growth.

The school operates within Des Moines County and serves a community where the median household income is $53,827 and median home value is $121,500. About 22% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 16.7% in the surrounding area. As a regular public high school, Burlington Community High School provides educational services to a significant portion of the local population of 27,592 residents.

Burlington Community High School sits at 421 Terrace Drive in this remote Iowa town, serving as an important educational hub for families in the Burlington area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56%
Math vs. State Avg-27.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.1 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected-13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness3.9Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,983

Burlington Community High School — Students at Burlington Community High School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.3%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 60.9%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
47%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
64%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
56%
2025
Math
38.9%
ELA
61.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.7/10.

How Burlington Community High School Compares

See how Burlington Community High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
3th percentile in IA
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers

Location

421 Terrace Dr, Burlington, IA 52601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Burlington Community High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Burlington Arnold Jr./Sr. High School (rated 6.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby West Burlington), which scores notably higher. Another option is BURLINGTON NOTRE DAME JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Danville Junior-Senior High School (rated 5.4/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Danville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Burlington, see our Burlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.7 mi
School Distance Rating
BURLINGTON NOTRE DAME Burlington 0.3 mi 5.7
BURLINGTON NOTRE DAME JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Burlington 0.3 mi 6.1
Edward Stone Middle School Burlington 0.6 mi 4.5
Corse Early Childhood Center Burlington 0.8 mi 5.5
Aldo Leopold Intermediate School Burlington 1.8 mi 6.8
West Burlington Arnold Jr./Sr. High School West Burlington 1.6 mi 6.9
West Burlington Elem School West Burlington 1.6 mi 4.7
James Wilson Grimes School Burlington 1.6 mi 3.9
North Hill Elementary School Burlington 1.6 mi 7.9
Sunnyside Elementary School Burlington 2.1 mi 8.6
Black Hawk Elementary School Burlington 2.3 mi 7.5
Dallas City Elem School Dallas City 12.5 mi 7.6
Danville Elementary School Danville 10.2 mi 8.0
Danville Junior-Senior High School Danville 10.2 mi 5.4
Mediapolis Elementary School Mediapolis 14.5 mi 7.5
Mediapolis High School Mediapolis 14.5 mi 4.8
Mediapolis Middle School Mediapolis 14.5 mi 7.1
West Central Middle School Stronghurst 12.6 mi 5.0
West Central High School Biggsville 12.7 mi 5.1
West Central Elementary School Biggsville 12.7 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,123

Median Home Value

$125,500

Median Rent

$921/mo

Population

27,465

College Educated

23.5%

Homeownership

71.2%

Avg Commute

18.2 min

Poverty Rate

14.8%

Median Age

43.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Burlington Community High School has a median household income of $57,123. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $125,500, with a median rent of $921/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Thomas Jefferson High School Council Bluffs, IA 3.9
Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge, IA 4.0
Bondurant-Farrar High School Bondurant, IA 4.1
North Scott High School Eldridge, IA 4.3
Ottumwa High School Ottumwa, IA 4.3
Lewis Central Senior High School Council Bluffs, IA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Burlington Community High School

What grades does Burlington Community High School serve?

Burlington Community High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Burlington Community High School?

Burlington Community High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,090 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Burlington Community High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Burlington Community High School is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Burlington Community High School rank in IA?

Burlington Community High School is ranked #1246 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Burlington Community High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Burlington Community High School has a composite rating of 3.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Burlington Community High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Burlington Community High School has 41.3% math proficiency and 60.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Burlington Community High School a charter school?

No, Burlington Community High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Burlington Community High School a Title I school?

No, Burlington Community High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Burlington Community High School?

54.0% of students at Burlington Community High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
15 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,261/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Burlington). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,090
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
63
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Des Moines County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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