Original Research by School Decision on Burroughs High
Burroughs High is a large comprehensive high school in Burbank that serves grades nine through twelve. The school enrollment runs roughly stable across grade levels, with students drawn from throughout the city's residential neighborhoods and employment corridors.
The student body reflects Burbank's demographics. A substantial majority of students identify as Hispanic, with significant populations of White and Asian students, smaller numbers of students identifying as Black or multiracial, and very small populations of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. About one quarter of the enrollment qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, which aligns with Burbank's median household income and housing costs, both higher than the state average. Data on English learner enrollment and students with IEPs were not available.
The school's academic profile shows strength in English language arts, where state testing proficiency sits well above the midpoint for schools statewide. Mathematics and science proficiency both fall below the midpoint, meaning fewer than half of tested students demonstrated proficiency in each subject. This is a pattern of concern a parent may want to look into further with the school, especially if math or science are priorities. Graduation rate, chronic absenteeism data, and discipline records were not available in the dataset provided.
Burbank itself is a compact, mixed-character city dominated by entertainment and media employers including Disney, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon Animation, and the historic studios. The everyday landscape blends residential neighborhoods, industrial and commercial districts, and active civic spaces. Housing values are substantial; the median home price in the area exceeds the state benchmark by a wide margin, and monthly rent also runs above state levels. Affordability is tight on both purchase and rental sides. The city is pursuing significant downtown mixed-use and housing development, with transit connections through the Metrolink system and growing bike infrastructure, though office vacancy has risen since the recent entertainment industry strikes.
Parent-relevant district changes were not confirmed in available sources, so no summary of recent strategic shifts or policy updates can be offered here. For current information on curriculum, programs, or initiatives at Burroughs High or across Burbank Unified, the school and district websites and direct contact would be the best sources.
The school sits on a campus setting dispersed from downtown, as are the other high schools in the district. A student here would attend a regular public school in a city with a hometown feel despite its role in the entertainment economy, where most destinations are nearby and public transit and bike networks offer alternatives to driving.
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