Burton International School

I think this school will be an excellent decision for me. I mean the extior is a little corny but it is an outstanding school. Look at the great test scores they have an A!

To me i think that burton is actually a wonderful school! i think that there isn't alot of parent involvement for the simple fact that alot of parents work schedule conflicts with the scools dances and other school activities. when i red some of the comments i was ery shocked because burton does have order espcially this year we line up everyday from lunch and our teachers come down stairs topick us up. it's usaully loud in the hallway when classes change because that's when students really get the chance to have a conversation.although i do have to agree that some of the students in burtondoes need more disciplini must say that that isn't the schools faught becausethe school isnt that problem childs parents and they cant control a kid and calling home and giving suspensions aren't goin to always going to stop the problem.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent and a teacher at a different DPS school. I believe in supporting DPS Schools. I like Burton, my son had to adjust going to 6th grade there. He is now in 7th grade. I understand that no one is perfect, but Burton is doing an excellent job with what DPS has given them. I like how everything is in writing and laid out. I like my son's teachers and the outlines in their syllabus. I think that parents shouldn't be so hard on teachers. They spend so much of their own money. Parents should be supportive of their children's teachers and give them any assisstance they need. I am satisfied that he is challenged academically. No one has control over the building, I paint my own classroom to change my environment.
—Submitted by a parent

From grades 2-6 I went to Burton International, and I hated it like most students do. The teachers were incredibly strict. Now I am in 8th grade at Ferndale Middle School. It's alright. But now, looking back, I realise it is a much better school that I had previously thought. The wrok was harder, but the teachers were teaching well enough that it seemed easy, In 7th grade at FMS I was learning stuff that I had learned in 5th grade at burton.
—Submitted by a student

All schools aren't perfect but they can be some what perfect. I'm a student that just recently graduted and I've been there since the 3rd grade. When I first got there I was doing great and was having great challenges, but now that has started to fade in the past years that I've been going. They still do have great teachers but some aren't so good. And I also don't like the fact that they are constantly changing things....I mean changes are good but not all the time. I mean they're stupid changes. The one great thing that hasn't changed is the atmosphere of the school, which many schools lack.
—Submitted by a student

I had two childern attend Burton Int. I at first thought it was a good school, better than my neighborhood school. I found out over the years that it was not living up to their reputation of being a great school. They offered German to them in the 2nd grade and then stoped. Then after that they had several different foriegn language teachers, 6 to be exact. They have a great principal but they have teachers that need to find other jobs. Every year there is something changing and not enough discipline, not enough parent involvement. The same ones always step up and get the work done. No school is perfect but , Burton is not on top like they use to, they are not the old Burton
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent and a teacher. I two children who attend Burton International. I don't know how much assistance my older son was receiving in third grade. In exception to reading, I think the other subjects were taught with the 'you should know this' already mentality and didn't take the time to go back and reteach what a student didn't get. I did not like the unorganization and the noise level of the students in the morning and in the afternoon. In the morning, the students are extremely loud and are not in any order. They are not in line, nor is there a teacher in hallway meeting their students to take them to their classes in an orderly manner (especially the older children who have to go upstairs). In the afternoon, it is the same...no type of order. They should be waiting in line to be picked up.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school is horrible! I dont like it beacause this school is stressing and misrible I hope that this year could be better and also the teachers just expects the students to understand the work . i dont get much help beacause the classes are too big .
—Submitted by a student

I am a parent who loves Burton and since my husband and I brought our son in the fall until now we see a huge difference in his reading and comprehension level. His kindergarten teacher gave us a list of words to know at the beginning of the year, half of which he knew. Now he knows all those words and more. His math has improved, and his teacher started teaching him Spanish in the last 6 weeks. He has always been challenged with the work. Consistent parent involvement is about 5% at the parent meetings, although if there is a special occasion, I have seen parents make the time and come out. I think it's sad to see parents expect everything from a school, or one teacher. The teacher's job is to expose and our job is to reinforce.
—Submitted by a parent

Not a good school at all! Hand Down! Unfortunately, my son spent two years at the shool and did not learn half of what he should of. The teachers are not committed to helping studens on all levels. Not enough parent involvement on a regular basis. The school is very diminished inside, although, parents have offered to help paint and with updates. As far as the diversity goes, not enough celebration and appreciation for it. No Spanish or other foreign language classes taught to 2nd and 3rd graders. Very little extra curriculum after school activities. No committment to tutorial services unless your child is diagnosed with a disability. Soooooooooo unfortunate. Although the principal is trying, this school has definately lost it's reputation.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a burton international parent. I am very very unpleased. When my child transferred to this school, they stopped learning. I know that no school is 'Perfect' but this school is no where close. It has a very high reputation, but thats old and it no longer -if it ever did- live up to the name.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great. The only problem is that it is a Detroit Public School, so it's low on funds, although there a casino in the area. Motor City Casino should pay some tax money to the school like in other cities. Burton is a great school with great teachers
—Submitted by a parent

Burton is definitely not what it's reputation eludes. I took my child for the kindergarten interview. I was very uncomfortable and the prinicpal was way too dramatic. In addition, the first question the two interviewers asked my child as they sat across the table from her was ' Why do you want to come to Burton'? She is 4 years old. It went downhill from there. Wewere applying to numerous schools and Burton was not top on the list. She knows she was going to kindergarten, but name of the school was of little importance to her. I think that this school should reevaluate their entrance procedures. I am definitely turned off and would not recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently have my son enrolled in first grade at 'the Great Burton International ' . I have mixed feelings about the school. Academically, my son is challenged and is learning above grade level. He is happy and so far fairing well. Teachers seem to be very concerned about the students well being. That said, I do not see what is international about this school. There is not much diversity in the student body, the younger grades are not exposed to international studies or foreign language as indicated prior to my enrollment. Communication between the staff and parents is lacking and little to know accountability for parent involvement despite signed contracts for annual volunteer hours. The school is old and cramped and needs some TLC.
—Submitted by a parent

I am parent and a teacher from a district other than DPS. I love Burton. The principal is a wonderful man devoted to excellence in and from his staff and his charges- his studetns! my son is in the art club and the robotics club. My daughter is in the academic games (also a sort of math club.) Keep up the good work Burton Int'l. I will always support you.
—Submitted by D. Henderson, a parent

I am a parent and despite what others have said this school improved my children's academic ability greatly. They went to private schools, charter schools and also other public schools and Burton is by far one of the best. The teachers are wonderful, although sometimes other students may be disruptive, they are quickly put into their place. This school is great!
—Submitted by a parent

My son and daughter both went to this school and they were miserable. I saw no improvement in their knowledge and the school does nothing about physical violence in their environment.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended Burton International 2006-2007. Being a former educator I found the school significantly lacking in qualities I was hoping would surface in a school with such a 'stellar' reputation. I believe it may have been a good decent school many years ago (perhaps 20 or so) but, not being native of the Detroit area, I was grossly disappointed with the academic, social, and lack of extracurricular activities there. My son came from a public charter school(with certified teachers, as well) where I wasn't pleased either so, I tried a DPS...what a let down. I do understand budgetary restraints but, it should never be so evident. I am a parent who is involved in his education daily and couldn't even get the appropriate books and materials to assist him with homework. Thumbs down on Burton and DPS.
—Submitted by Andre King, a parent

I am currently a student at burton international and our school needs lots of improvement. The teachers hardly ever do anything when there is trouble and the principal usually has to take care of the problems. Our extracurricular activities need to be more diverse. We need more variety. The school has way too many problems. I am very smart and some of our teachers are really good. We need security though. And the parents really aren't that involved. They don't give our school any support. And if you need help you often can't really get it from the teachers. You have to pay for tutoring or something. We need help but we could do it if everyone gets involved.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter is currently in the 3rd grade and has been at Burton since Kindergarten. She is progressing well in her academics. Her reading skills are at her current grade level, and I'm not happy about that, but that is because we aren't reading enough at home and we've been working on that over the summer. She has had Wonderful teachers, and I love Dr. Wilson's approach to discipline dealing with students and parents. My only knocks are in the area of extracurricular activities (not enough at lower grades) and Burton being linked to the problems of DPS. I wish all schools were of this caliber. It is amazing what is accomplished with so few resources. I can only imagine what could happen with better funding.
—Submitted by LaTonya, a parent