Original Research by School Decision on Burlington-edison Alternative School
Burlington-Edison Alternative School is a public alternative high school within the Burlington-Edison School District, serving grades nine through twelve in Burlington, Washington. The school is designated as an alternative school, which typically signals a non-traditional setting designed for students who may benefit from a smaller, more flexible learning environment than a comprehensive high school.
The school is very small, with an enrollment that skews toward the upper grades; the largest share of students is in twelfth grade, with far fewer in eleventh and ninth, and none in tenth. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with White students and students identifying as two or more races making up the remainder. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a population facing considerable economic disadvantage.
Because of the school’s small size and alternative status, standard academic performance data is not available. State assessment results for math and English language arts are suppressed, meaning they are not reported publicly — this is common for very small schools where releasing data could identify individual students. No graduation rate is reported for the school either, and no information about chronic absenteeism, discipline, course offerings, or staffing is present in the available records. A parent considering this school would need to reach out directly to learn about academic outcomes, graduation pathways, and student support services.
The district that operates the school, Burlington-Edison School District, has no recent publicly reported changes such as new levies, bond measures, or curriculum shifts that would be relevant to families. The district brief turned up general directory information but no confirmed lasting developments.
Burlington itself is a mid-sized city in Skagit Valley with a mixed character — it began as a logging camp and later developed agricultural and dairy industries, then saw extensive commercial growth along its main corridor. The old downtown along Fairhaven Avenue has been revitalized and hosts community events, and civic anchors include a city hall and library. The city is experiencing rapid population growth, a factor that may influence school enrollment and housing demand over time. The housing market in the area reflects home values that are above the national median, with rents rising at a notable pace, making affordability a consideration for families moving into the district.
For a family evaluating Burlington-Edison Alternative School, the key takeaway is that this is a specialized, small alternative setting with a high-poverty student body, located in a growing city with a mixed commercial and agricultural economy. Without test scores or a graduation rate to consult, a parent will need to rely on direct conversations with the school to understand the academic program, postsecondary supports, and the specific student population it serves. The school may be a fit for a student who needs a smaller, more individualized high school experience, but the absence of public outcome data means the decision depends heavily on what the school communicates about its mission and results.
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