Original Research by School Decision on Burbank Early Childhood School
Burbank Early Childhood School is a public preschool in Upper Arlington serving the district's youngest learners. The school enrolls children in prekindergarten only, which means it sits outside the state testing and proficiency framework that measures K-12 achievement. Assessment data, graduation rates, and other secondary and primary school metrics do not apply here.
The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Asian, Hispanic, and multiracial students, and very few Black or Native American students. The school serves roughly equal numbers across its grade band (all PK), and data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility and special education enrollment are not available from public reports.
Upper Arlington itself is a residential suburb on Columbus's northwest side, characterized by tree-lined streets, mature neighborhoods, and a mix of historic Tudor-style architecture in the older southern core alongside ranch and contemporary homes in newer sections. Commercial activity clusters in a few districts—the historic Mallway (home to Jones Middle School, a pool, and local shops), Lane Avenue (mixed-use retail and dining), Kingsdale (medical and office), Riverside Drive, and Henderson Road—rather than spreading throughout. Parks are central to community life, with dozens of public spaces and pools managed by the city's aquatics division. The Bob Crane Community Center, opened in early 2025, added an indoor pool, gymnasiums, a track, and fitness studios. A long-established library system recently became independent of the Grandview Heights system. Major employers include Ohio State University's medical and research operations, OhioHealth facilities, and a variety of professional and medical offices across the commercial corridors.
The district itself has undergone significant physical renewal. A first wave of construction completed by 2021 delivered a new Upper Arlington High School and four new or substantially rebuilt elementary schools (Greensview, Wickliffe Progressive, Windermere, and Tremont), plus renovations to Barrington. This means families with children in the system access modern, recently built facilities across the elementary through secondary span. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, Upper Arlington High School introduced two new college-credit pathways: a UC IT Microschool in partnership with the University of Cincinnati and a Teaching Professions Pathway, both tuition-free. These offerings expand the college and career access available to students as part of the regular school day, a structural advantage for families prioritizing early college or vocational preparation.
Housing in the 43220 zip code where Burbank sits is in line with national benchmarks for home value and appreciating modestly year over year. Rents have edged down slightly. Monthly mortgage and rent costs sit just above typical, and rent takes up a substantial portion of household income relative to national norms—a factor for families weighing affordability. The area's median household income sits comfortably above national averages.
In November 2022, Upper Arlington voters approved a continuous operating levy on property taxes, designed to fund daily operations without requiring a return to the ballot for several years or longer. This is a lasting cost-of-residency factor for any family considering a move into the district.
As an early childhood school, Burbank serves children before they enter the tested grades. Families considering the school may want to look into the school's approach to social-emotional development, play-based versus structured learning, capacity and wait lists, and how enrollment feeds into the district's elementary pathway.
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