Paul Burbank Elementary School

I have two children at Burbank this year and have been very pleased with the school, teachers, and staff. I have been very impressed with the parent involvement and stress by the administration (and Title I) on parent involvement, student improvement and all around student growth. The PIF (Parent Involvement Coordinator) is fabulous and I have been nothing but pleased with the additional programs, activities and support provided to help each and every student grow to their full potential. The family atmosphere is refreshing, the PTA programs are fun and inviting, and the Title 1 activities are well planned and fun. I am highly likely to rezone my kids for Burbank even if we move!!
--Submitted by a parent

This by far the worst school my children have ever attended! Before sending your children I strongly suggest checking it out for yourself.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is very unsatisfactory. It is the worst school my children have been to. I had a chat with the principal becuase there was a new "NO TALKING" rule during lunch and that book reading was only allowed during that time. So I talked to the principal and was told the reason was because the were UNSAFE issues going on during lunch time. So my thought is I am sending my children to an unsafe school enviroment. You walk into the school and there in no laughter, no smiling, you wouldn't know you were walking into a school. It was more like a prison. My 11 year old who was in 5th grade was in class and there was some kids being disruptive and the teacher told the entire class that they were disgusting! What kind of teacher would say that to to there class. This schoolo is worried about SOL testing and nothing more. It doesnt matter if your child behaves and follows the rules, the teachers still treat them as if they are bad. I was very unsatisfied with this school and I would tell any parent to have there child rezoned to antoher shcool or home school them . I had my 3rd grader rezoned this year. Well worth the sacrifice of driving her to school everyday.
--Submitted by a parent

I have four children...a rising 11th grader, rising 5th grader, rising 3rd grader, and a rising Kindergartner. My oldest child went to Burbank, but we moved and unfortunately had to leave. I was so unhappy with his new school that I actually rezoned him for Burbank and sacrificed driving him to and from school everyday. Thankfully, we moved to a neighborhood zoned for this school in 2005 and I haven't ever had a problem that wasn't resolved in a timely fashion. The teachers are caring, supportive and the same goes for administration. I know the new schools are about to open, but I believe the family-like atmosphere is something you don't take for granted. It doesn't happen overnight. This school recognizes achievements with ongoing support and functions to encourage students (accelerated and special needs) to maintain and/or exceed past their limitations.
--Submitted by a parent

@ 4/13 and 4/12 Do it, and don't wait a minute longer. Moving schools SAVED one of my children, who was literally being destroyed by neglect. Neglect I firmly believe is the result of the administration concerned only with ONE thing: SOL scores of a particular demographic of student. Students of all abilities are lumped together in classes, and I'll give you one guess who gets left out in the cold. They also are NOT forthcoming about attacks and other incidents with your children. I had to learn about one against one of my children through another parent who happened to be at the school.
--Submitted by a parent

My son currently goes to Paul Burbank Elementary. I can't think of anything good to say about it. I am on this site today looking for another school for my son to attend. Several of my son's friends' parents have also withdrawn their sons from Burbank.
--Submitted by a parent

If you are thinking of having your children attend this school... DON'T! This was my daughters first year at this school and it was nothing but a nightmare! It seemed that every other month I was getting a note sent home or phone voice mail telling me how another kid has punched, bit, or choked my daughter again but since there were not markings she was sent back to class.....The kids to teacher ratio is very over whelming.....way too many kids for one teacher even though she has an assistant. The principle and office staff seemed really nice and knowledgeable when we registered our daughter for this school...now I wish I would have put her in a different school. She will be attending a different school next year!
--Submitted by a parent

This school is great my kids love it and I love the small class size and individualized attention
--Submitted by a parent

I've had the pleasure of being a Burbank parent going on 4 years now. After my son spent a year under the wrong special ed classification at Forest Elem, I wrestled with the dept of special ed to even get him classified, because he has a form of autism but not the actual disability. Once he was rightly classified and placed at Burbank, my son's ability soared! Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Cary are phenomenal, loving teachers who teach each child according to their individual needs. I was so pleased with the administration (Ms. Jackson, Dr.Rogers-Rader, and Mrs. Berkheimer) that when it came time for my daughter to enter K, I applied out of zone. We were blessed to have our daughter placed in Ms. Powell-Riedl's class & now she has Mrs. Saab. All GREAT teachers! The IB program is one of a kind. A great school, all around!
--Submitted by a parent

I have found quite the opposite when dealing with this school system as compared to some reviews below. They have a wonderful program and sense of ownership of any issues that I have had as a parent. My child is doing very well and they have special programs to assist him with his challenged areas
--Submitted by a parent