The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in English language arts. The lowest is 74% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lee Burneson Middle School
Lee Burneson Middle School is a public middle school in Westlake serving grades seven and eight. It sits in an affluent suburban community west of Cleveland where the economic base centers on software development, precision manufacturing, and healthcare, anchored by employers like Hyland Software and St. John Medical Center. Housing values in the area are well above state benchmarks, and the neighborhood reflects the everyday character of a prosperous, car-oriented suburb with one walkable mixed-use district at Crocker Park.
Academically, the school's proficiency results across tested subjects in 2024-25 show consistent strength. In English language arts, a substantial share of students met proficiency. Math proficiency was somewhat lower, though still solidly above half the student body. Science proficiency sat between the two. Performance data available shows only this single year, so trend direction cannot be determined. The school's overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades falls above the midpoint among Cuyahoga County's school districts, placing it in solid standing relative to its neighbors.
The student body is about equally divided between seventh and eighth grades. The enrollment is small for its grade band. A modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student population is predominantly white, with smaller populations of Asian, Hispanic, and multiracial students, and very few Black students or students of other backgrounds. Data on special education enrollment and English learners was not available, so a reader may want to contact the school directly to understand those populations if they are relevant to a family's needs.
Westlake City Schools operates under a long-standing fiscal model: the district has not required a new operating levy since the mid-1990s, a track record that parents considering a move into the district often reference when weighing property-tax stability. In 2025, however, Ohio changed state law to eliminate school emergency levies and levy replacements for all districts, meaning Westlake like others can no longer use those tools to extend or renew funding without going to voters for new levies. This structural change will reshape how frequently the district must ask homeowners for tax support, though no immediate levy has been announced.
The school's location puts it within the Westlake Porter Public Library service area and within reach of Bradley Woods Reservation and the Recreation Center. Interstate 90 and US-20 run through the city. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is a short drive away. Crocker Park, about a mile away, serves as the community's walkable mixed-use center with retail, dining, and apartments. Beyond that core, the built environment is conventional suburban arterials and subdivisions.
Information on staffing, course offerings, discipline practices, and specialized programs was not available in the data provided, so a parent may want to reach out to the school or visit its website for details on those dimensions.
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