The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in Science. The lowest is 20% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Burrton Elem
Burrton Elementary is a small public school serving prekindergarten through sixth grade in the center of Burrton, a rural Kansas town of modest size with an agricultural and small-town character. The school is part of the Burrton district, and its single building sits on the same central street as the high school and district office, integrated into the town’s grid rather than on a separate campus. The student body is small for an elementary school, and the community context is one of limited but close-knit civic amenities, including a public library, a swimming pool, and a senior center, all within walking distance of the school grounds.
The school serves a predominantly white student population, with a smaller share of Hispanic students and even fewer Asian and multiracial students. About half of the students come from households that meet eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch, a reflection of the local economic base, which includes mining, quarrying, transportation, and warehousing alongside the school district itself as a key employer. The town has seen modest population growth in recent years, and home values in the area are moderate, with a slight upward trend, falling below the statewide median. The housing market is relatively affordable, and car ownership is high, consistent with the rural setting.
Academically, state testing results from the most recent school year show that proficiency rates in math and English language arts for the tested grades are low, with a particularly small share of fifth and sixth graders meeting the state’s proficient or above bar. Science proficiency among fifth graders was similarly low. These figures place the school’s overall proficiency index in the bottom quartile among districts in Harvey County. It is worth noting that the state’s cut scores for these assessments changed recently, which means comparisons to prior years are not straightforward, and the school’s performance trajectory is unclear from the available data. A parent considering Burrton Elementary may want to discuss with school staff how the curriculum and instructional supports are being adjusted to address these results.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate or postsecondary metric to consider. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, and course access were not available in the materials reviewed. The district itself is very small, and a search for recent district-wide changes found no referendums, tax shifts, or curriculum overhauls that would be of direct relevance to a parent.
For a family looking at Burrton, the elementary school offers a small, familiar environment within a rural community where daily life is centered on a tight main-street corridor. The academic performance numbers are a clear soft spot, and the school’s demographic and economic profile is one of modest means. A parent who values a close community, a short walk or drive to school, and a low student-to-grade count may find Burrton Elementary a comfortable fit, but they will want to understand how the school is working to improve student outcomes in core subjects.
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