The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in English language arts. The lowest is 39% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on William Mckinley Elementary
William McKinley Elementary is a neighborhood school in Burbank serving kindergarten through fifth grade, with a student body drawn from the surrounding residential area. The enrollment is small to moderate in size, and the demographic makeup is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial white population and smaller shares of Asian, multiracial, and other groups. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a mixed-income community.
On California's standardized assessments, McKinley's results show mixed performance. In English language arts, the school's average proficiency across tested grades sits close to the state median on the county-comparative measure. Students in third grade show the strongest reading results, while proficiency dips somewhat in fourth and fifth grades, though the trajectory stabilizes. Math proficiency is weaker across all grades, with fifth-grade students showing the largest gap. Science proficiency, measured at the fifth-grade level, falls in the lower half of the range. Taken as a whole, the school's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among Los Angeles County's tested elementary schools, but parents should understand that this means many students are not yet meeting grade-level standards, especially in mathematics.
ELA is the school's relative strength. About half to slightly more than half of third, fourth, and fifth graders meet proficiency on the CAASPP. Math tells a different story. Fewer than half of students in grades three and four reach proficiency, and in fifth grade the rate drops noticeably further. These patterns suggest that students here may benefit from targeted support in quantitative reasoning and problem-solving, particularly as they move into the upper elementary years. A parent may want to look into further what the school is doing to address the math gap and what academic interventions or enrichment are available.
Science proficiency in fifth grade is also below the midpoint statewide, indicating that hands-on inquiry and conceptual science may be an area where the school would benefit from strengthening instruction.
Burbank as a place is anchored by the entertainment industry, with Warner Bros., Disney, Nickelodeon, and other major studios as major employers. The city is compact, about 17 square miles, and blends entertainment-industry infrastructure with residential neighborhoods. Downtown and the Magnolia Park business corridor are moderately walkable, with shops and restaurants within a short walk in those areas, though most parts of Burbank require a car for many errands. The housing market is expensive; homes in the 91506 zip code are valued well above the California state median, and rents are high. For families considering McKinley, this reflects a stable, professional community with long roots in the area, though housing costs are a significant consideration.
The school sits within Burbank Unified, a mid-sized district serving the city. Burbank is pursuing notable downtown growth, with mixed-use and residential infill projects planned, though office vacancy has risen since the entertainment strikes. The city maintains good public amenities, including a multi-branch library system, parks, and Metrolink rail service from the downtown station, making it accessible without a car for some trips.
McKinley is a regular public elementary school without magnet or charter designation. It serves the students who live in its catchment area, drawing from a neighborhood community. For families looking for a straightforward, neighborhood-based elementary experience in a stable Burbank residential area, it is a local option. The academic picture suggests solid foundational work in reading but a need for strengthened math and science instruction. Data on special education services, English learner support, and other specialized programs was not available, so parents should ask the school directly about what supports exist for students who need additional help or accelerated work.
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