Burton Elementary

Burton Elementary is a PreK-5 public school in Grand Rapids, MI, serving 365 students within the Grand Rapids Public Schools district, where a large majority of families (about 82%) qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Burton Elementary faces significant academic challenges, ranking in the bottom 7th percentile of Michigan elementary schools—a position it has held for the past decade. Test scores are low across most subjects and grades, with math proficiency particularly concerning (e.g., just 8.5% of 4th graders and 8.8% of 5th graders were proficient in 2025-2026, compared to state averages above 32%). This is a stark contrast to nearby schools like Buchanan Elementary (just half a mile away), which serves a similar demographic but outperforms Burton in nearly every subject and grade. Even Brookside Elementary and North Godwin Elementary School rank significantly higher. One bright spot is 5th-grade English Language Arts, where 22.8% of students were proficient—more than double Burton’s own 3rd and 4th-grade ELA scores and close to the district average. This jump suggests a possible effective teacher or program for older students, though it remains to be seen if the trend continues.

On a positive note, Burton’s chronic absenteeism rate (25.3%) is far better than the district average (41.3%) and many neighboring schools, indicating stronger student attendance and family engagement. However, the school spends a substantial $18,062 per student—higher than several peers—yet this investment hasn’t translated into better outcomes. Subgroup performance is a major concern, with Hispanic, English Language Learner, and low-income students ranking in the bottom 1st to 9th percentile statewide. While the school’s attendance strength is a solid foundation, the persistent academic struggles and high spending without results suggest that families should carefully consider how Burton’s specific programs align with their child’s needs, especially in math and for vulnerable student groups.