Best Public Schools in Burton, MI

The city of Burton, Michigan is home to 16 schools, including 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 6 high schools, and 1 alternative school. These schools serve a diverse student population and face a range of challenges, from low academic proficiency to high rates of chronic absenteeism and socioeconomic disparities.

Among the standout schools, Madison Academy High School stands out with a high percentage of African American students and a concerning proficiency rate, but a relatively high graduation rate and low dropout rate. In contrast, Flex High Burton, a public charter high school, serves a student population that is 45.59% African American and has a very high free/reduced lunch rate of 97.79%, but struggles with an alarmingly low 4-year graduation rate of only 1.6% and a high dropout rate of 59%. The Atherton Vern Van Y Educational Center, an alternative public school, also faces challenges with a low 4-year graduation rate of 29.6% and a high dropout rate of 37%.

Across the schools in Burton, there are significant disparities in academic performance, with some schools, like Burton Glen Charter Academy, performing well above the state average, while others, like Atherton Elementary School, struggle with proficiency rates as low as 9.3% in 3rd grade English Language Arts. These differences are often correlated with socioeconomic factors, as schools with higher percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch tend to have lower academic performance, higher chronic absenteeism, and lower graduation rates. Addressing these challenges and ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all students in Burton will require targeted interventions and support from the Burton Glen Charter Academy, Kearsley Community School District, Atherton Community Schools, Bendle Public Schools, Bentley Community School District, Madison Academy, Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools, and Flex High School of Michigan.