The top reported proficiency rate is 77% in Math. The lowest is 69% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on C C Burr
C C Burr is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in the village of Auburndale, part of the Newton school district. The school is one of several elementary schools within this well-regarded suburban district, and it feeds into Newton’s middle and high schools, which are not covered by this profile.
The student body is diverse in its racial and ethnic composition. The largest group is white students, followed by a substantial share of Asian students, a smaller but significant Hispanic population, and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. Black students make up a modest presence. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are classified as English learners was not available, so a fuller picture of the school’s economic and learning-support profile is not possible from this source.
Academically, C C Burr performs at a high level relative to other schools in its region. On the state’s NextGen MCAS assessments, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades lands in the top quartile when compared with other districts in Middlesex County. In math, a large majority of students scored at the proficient or advanced level. In English language arts, a clear majority also met that bar, though the rate was somewhat lower than in math. In science, which is tested in only a subset of grades, the proficiency rate was comparable to math. Participation rates on all assessments were full, so the results reflect nearly the entire tested population.
Looking at trends over the past several years, proficiency rates in both math and ELA have fluctuated. The school saw its highest ELA proficiency in the pre-pandemic period and a dip in the years immediately following, with some recovery. Math proficiency has been more stable and generally stayed at a strong level. The most recent year’s results in both subjects are among the better years in the recent record.
Because C C Burr serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and data on chronic absenteeism was not available. The school’s status as a regular school, not a charter or magnet, reflects a standard neighborhood assignment model within the Newton district.
The school is located in Auburndale, a suburban commuter village within the city of Newton. Auburndale has a historic identity, with a local historic district and numerous properties on the National Register. The village center around Auburndale Square is walkable, with a library, small businesses, restaurants, and a supermarket. The Massachusetts Turnpike bisects the village, and residential streets are largely lined with single-family homes on sizeable lots. Lasell University is a notable institutional presence, and the village has an MBTA commuter rail station as well as access to Green Line light rail. Housing costs in the area are very high, reflecting the affluent character of Newton as a whole. The locale brief notes recent development pressure, with large townhomes replacing older homes and a major planned project on a former MBTA site.
The Newton district itself did not have recent parent-relevant changes reported in the available material, so no district-level updates can be described here.
For a family considering C C Burr, the school offers strong academic outcomes, particularly in math and science, and a diverse student body within a high-performing, well-resourced district. The local housing market commands a premium, and the village setting provides walkable amenities and transit access while maintaining a suburban character. The absence of data on economic disadvantage and special education services means those aspects are not illuminated by this profile; a parent may want to inquire directly with the school for that information.
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