The top reported proficiency rate is 59% in Social studies. The lowest is 31% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Burroughs Elementary School
Burroughs Elementary School is a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade public school in Toledo serving a student body that is roughly evenly split between Black, white, and multiracial students, with a substantial Hispanic population as well. The school sits in a mid-sized industrial city on Lake Erie that is actively revitalizing, particularly downtown, with new mixed-use development, converted lofts, and renewed civic anchors drawing investment and residents back to urban neighborhoods.
The school's academic performance is below the midpoint among districts in Lucas County across tested subjects. In the most recent state testing cycle, proficiency in English language arts stood at a modest level, math proficiency was lower still, and science proficiency was the weakest of the three. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in the county. These results represent a real academic challenge; a parent considering this school should have a direct conversation with school leadership about what specific supports, curriculum changes, or interventions are underway to move these numbers, and what role a family's involvement might play.
The school's enrollment is small for an elementary K-8 building, distributed fairly evenly across grades with slightly larger cohorts in kindergarten and grade five. Demographic data from state testing show nearly complete participation rates across subjects, suggesting reliable attendance and engagement in assessment itself. Free-or-reduced-price lunch status was not available in the data provided, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the share of students from economically disadvantaged households and what meal, transportation, or other support services are available.
Toledo itself is experiencing substantial change. In November 2024, voters approved a significant new property tax levy for the school district, the first new operating money in over a decade, aimed at building maintenance, routine operations, and campus restoration projects. In April 2026, the district approved a major restructuring plan in response to budget pressures from state funding changes. The plan closes and repurposes several elementary schools, transitions some K-8 schools to K-6 configurations, and changes school start times and transportation beginning in the 2026-27 school year. For families moving to the area or currently weighing school options, this means the district's building footprint and grade structures are in flux. Burroughs itself was not named in the closure announcements reviewed, but a parent should confirm its operational status and any planned reconfiguration directly with the district, since these changes are actively rolling out.
The city's housing market is relatively affordable by national standards, with home values and rents rising modestly year over year. The economy is anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, and education, with major employers including Owens Corning, ProMedica Health System, and the University of Toledo. Downtown and near-core neighborhoods are increasingly walkable and mixed-use, though most of the broader metro area remains car-dependent. Public transit through TARTA serves the city and inner suburbs but is spotty in outer areas.
Burroughs is a neighborhood school serving its immediate residential area. The academic data suggest it needs meaningful intervention to raise student proficiency. The broader district is in active transition. A family considering this school should weigh both the school's current performance and the stability or uncertainty that the district's restructuring may bring.
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