Best Public Schools in Burbank, CA

The Burbank Unified school district serves roughly 12,700 students across 19 schools, including 11 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools (two of which are alternative programs), and ranks in the top third of districts statewide.

Overall, the district performs well above California averages in graduation rates and test scores, with particular strengths in elementary education; R. L. Stevenson Elementary stands out for the highest science scores, and Theodore Roosevelt Elementary has the district's best attendance. Among the two main high schools, Burroughs High ranks significantly higher than Burbank High in academic proficiency and has lower chronic absenteeism.

The district's alternative high schools, like Monterey High (Continuation) and Magnolia Park, face profound challenges with attendance and low test scores but achieve high graduation rates, successfully serving at-risk students. A key takeaway for parents is that chronic absenteeism rates vary widely and are strongly linked to school performance, making attendance a critical factor in student success across Burbank.