The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in English language arts. The lowest is 20% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Charles Bursch Elementary
Charles Bursch Elementary is a kindergarten through fifth grade school in Baldwin Park, a densely populated working-class city in the San Gabriel Valley that mixes residential neighborhoods with commercial corridors and industrial land. The school sits within Baldwin Park Unified, a district currently navigating significant enrollment decline that has led to closures of multiple elementary schools over recent years.
Bursch serves a student body that is overwhelmingly economically disadvantaged and Latino. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the enrollment skews heavily toward Latino students, with a smaller Asian student population and very few students from other racial or ethnic backgrounds. The school itself is small to mid-sized for its grade band, with roughly even enrollment across most grades.
On California's state assessments, Bursch's results are well below where families would want to see them. In English language arts, proficiency varies by grade, with third grade performing at a higher level than fourth grade, then improving somewhat in fifth. In math, proficiency is notably low across all tested grades, with performance particularly weak in fourth and fifth grades. In the science assessment administered to fifth graders, proficiency is also low. Across the tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to districts across Los Angeles County. The assessment data does not provide multi-year trend information, so a parent would want to look further into whether recent results represent a pattern or a snapshot, and what instructional changes the school may have underway.
The data provided does not include information about chronic absenteeism, attendance rates, discipline patterns, or staff credentials. It also does not show whether the school has English learner or special education services data reported, program offerings beyond standard curriculum, or details about school culture and climate. A parent considering this school would benefit from visiting, speaking with current families, and asking school leadership directly about academic support systems, reading and math intervention programs, and any specialized services or enrichment available.
Baldwin Park Unified has introduced a Spanish-English Dual Language Immersion pathway that runs from elementary through high school, ending with the possibility of earning California's State Seal of Biliteracy. Families interested in bilingual education would want to confirm whether Bursch participates in this pathway and what the application and enrollment process looks like. The district has also undertaken facility upgrades including air conditioning and safety enhancements through recent bonds, work that is visible across campuses.
The broader context matters for families considering the district. Multiple elementary schools have closed in recent years due to declining enrollment, reshaping neighborhood school assignments and attendance options. These changes are ongoing, and families should understand the district's current enrollment trends and any plans that might affect their school's stability or configuration. The property market in Baldwin Park is moderately valued for Los Angeles County, with rents reflecting typical affordability pressures in the region. Housing has been concentrated on infill multifamily development near transit and downtown, with new affordable projects opening in recent years.
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