534 Cesar E Chavez Pkwy
San Diego, CA 92113

Mixed Experience – Ultimately Had to TransferMy experience with Burbank Elementary was mixed. While there are some caring staff members, serious issues led me to transfer my child.During a classroom observation, I saw the 1st-grade teacher snap at a student who asked to use the restroom. Moments later, she allowed another student to go without asking properly. When my son, who has special needs and was already distressed, began crying, she responded by yelling at the class to ignore him and threatened to punish students who tried to comfort him. She even told my son that if he didn’t sit down, I (his parent) would have to leave. It was deeply upsetting.I brought this to the principal, but he smiled through our conversation and dismissed my concerns. When I asked to switch my son to a different class—even to a Spanish/English class—I was told the teacher had “drawn the short straw” and would remain. There were no other options, so I had to transfer schools.On a positive note, the school nurse was wonderful and attentive to my child’s medical needs. His kindergarten teacher was also amazing and genuinely cared—her departure was a big loss.Unfortunately, the special education team did not accurately track my son’s progress. At his new school, a reassessment revealed he had not met several goals that were marked “complete” on his IEP.The school grounds inside are clean, but the outside often had trash, dog waste, and overgrown grass. Pickup and drop-off traffic was chaotic and felt unsafe.Burbank has potential, but it needs better leadership, classroom support, and accountability—especially for students with special needs.

I am a staff member at this school. We are a new school and growing a lot of programs, but we have a very dedicated group of teachers that are continually increasing the rigor and options for students. In a few short years of being open we have improved our rates of students reaching standards, improved attendance, improved the number of weighted courses, increased community partnerships while decreasing student behavior concerns and suspension rates dramatically.