Top Rankings
Burlington Community School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 5 public elementary schools serving 1,496 students in Burlington Community School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Iowa.
Public Elementary Schools in Burlington Community School District have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 69% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public elementary school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
8 Schools
924 Schools
# Students
3,233 Students
320,020 Students
# Teachers
232 Teachers
23,100 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Burlington Community School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 65% has decreased from 79% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#322 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
63%
Graduation Rate
65%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.58
0.47
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
8%
13%
% Black
18%
7%
% White
61%
71%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
12%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,875 is higher than the state median of $16,468. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,678 is higher than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$61 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$54 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,875
$16,468
Spending / Student
$16,678
$16,042
Best Burlington Community School District Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sunnyside Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2040 Sunnyside Ave.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5244
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5244
Gr: K-4 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #22.
Black Hawk Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2804 S 14th St
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5300
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5300
Gr: K-4 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
North Hill Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
825 N. 9th St.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-6363
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-6363
Gr: K-4 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #44.
Aldo Leopold Intermediate School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3075 Sunnyside
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 752-8390
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 752-8390
Gr: 5-6 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #55.
James Wilson Grimes School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
800 South St.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-0420
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-0420
Gr: K-4 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Recent Articles
2025 Classroom Size Trends: Are Classes Still Growing?
A 2025 update on U.S. classroom sizes, policy battles, student outcomes, and whether class sizes continue to expand.
Personalized Learning in 2025: Revolutionizing Education
Explore how personalized learning is reshaping education in 2025—insights, policy, impact, and real-world models for students, parents, and educators.
How Bullying Impacts Student Academic Performance in 2025
Explore how bullying harms student achievement, attendance, and well-being — and strategies schools use in 2025 to mitigate its effects.
