Burr Elementary School

Summary:

Burr Elementary School is a public elementary school in Sterling Heights, Michigan, serving 554 students in grades PK-6. The school is part of the Utica Community Schools district, which is ranked 166 out of 610 districts in the state.

While Burr Elementary has a significantly higher percentage of white students (78.34%) compared to nearby schools, it consistently underperforms academically. In the 2023-2024 school year, Burr's 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was just 30.9%, compared to 47.3% for the district and 39.6% for the state. The school also has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 35% and a large percentage (78.88%) of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a lower socioeconomic status. Burr's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the past decade, from 308 out of 1,533 Michigan elementary schools in 2013-2014 to 1,053 out of 1,486 in 2023-2024, with a consistent 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Interestingly, the nearby Schwarzkoff Elementary and West Utica Elementary, which serve similar demographics, outperform Burr Elementary in academic achievement, with higher proficiency rates and better statewide rankings. Despite Burr's high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, the school's per-student spending ($13,444 in 2022-2023) is higher than the state average, suggesting that additional resources may not be translating into improved outcomes.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 41460 Ryan Rd
       Sterling Heights, MI  48314-3940


(586) 797-4100

District: Utica Community Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
1053rd of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,444 Help


Students who attend Burr Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Davis Junior High School
High:    Adlai Stevenson High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.2 Help
Number of students:  514

Racial breakdown:

White:
78.4%
African American:
8.6%
Two or more races:
5.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  81.3% Help


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 Compare Burr Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Burr Elementary School ranks worse than 70.9% of elementary schools in Michigan. It also ranks 24th among 25 ranked elementary schools in the Utica Community Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 27.99. (See more...)
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Compare Details Burr Elementary School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2014 the calculated Average Standard Score was 90.7. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (78.4%), African American (8.6%), two or more races (5.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 81.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Burr Elementary School is 17.2, which is the 10th best among 25 elementary schools in the Utica Community Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Burr Elementary School employs 29.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Burr Elementary School is $13,444. 17 elementary schools in the Utica Community Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Burr Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Burr Elementary School 1053rd of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Burr Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Utica Community Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Utica Community Schools 166th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Burr Elementary School?

Rank History for Burr Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Burr Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 51.20 948th 1545 38.6%
2007 39.26 1202nd 1565 23.2%
2008 44.59 1132nd 1577 28.2%
2009 57.58 864th 1589 45.6%
2010 44.72 1157th 1552 25.5%
2011 48.71 1024th 1552 34.0%
2012 68.01 479th 1566 69.4%
2013 80.47 245th 1563 84.3%
2014 77.28 308th 1533 79.9%
2015 66.84 503rd 1580 68.2%
2016 62.68 552nd 1548 64.3%
2017 51.96 649th 1466 55.7%
2018 36.91 979th 1448 32.4%
2019 36.71 890th 1408 36.8%
2021 14.17 1029th 1153 10.8%
2022 24.90 1000th 1344 25.6%
2023 26.77 1044th 1470 29.0%
2024 27.99 1053rd 1486 29.1%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school English Language Learner students at Burr Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.13 193rd 270 28.5%
2019 40.96 69th 117 41.0%
2022 19.90 83rd 98 15.3%
2023 34.27 117th 180 35.0%
2024 34.35 122nd 184 33.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Burr Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.01 890th 1397 36.3%
2019 47.27 597th 1134 47.4%
2021 27.37 596th 749 20.4%
2022 36.69 706th 1099 35.8%
2023 31.73 930th 1350 31.1%
2024 36.85 868th 1381 37.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Burr Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.98 1004th 1443 30.4%
2019 40.49 707th 1171 39.6%
2021 9.72 866th 902 4.0%
2022 21.94 907th 1106 18.0%
2023 27.62 948th 1321 28.2%
2024 22.25 1052nd 1342 21.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Burr Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.52 930th 1446 35.7%
2019 33.60 802nd 1196 32.9%
2021 11.45 874th 915 4.5%
2022 19.69 943rd 1139 17.2%
2023 22.57 1028th 1334 22.9%
2024 25.79 993rd 1347 26.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Burr Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.22 1046th 1253 16.5%
2019 29.87 832nd 1128 26.2%
2021 9.66 966th 1005 3.9%
2022 18.42 944th 1102 14.3%
2023 17.52 1033rd 1198 13.8%
2024 13.25 1093rd 1204 9.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Burr Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 70.56 254th 806 68.5%
2007 62.79 369th 823 55.2%
2008 36.09 648th 839 22.8%
2009 65.60 363rd 847 57.1%
2010 52.57 546th 851 35.8%
2011 55.55 495th 858 42.3%
2012 75.15 183rd 900 79.7%
2013 79.81 139th 919 84.9%
2014 90.70 57th 921 93.8%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Burr Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.7)
67%

0%

0%

0%

33%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Saturday, November 17, 2018

Open Quote This school used to be wonderful and then our principal retired. Now it’s a joke. Classrooms have 26-32 kids in each. Those misbehaving are not being disciplined and sent back to class to continue to disrupt. The good thing about it are the teachers. They care and work so hard but how long before they give up. I’ve had a couple go through and couple more to go. I don’t know if we’ll stick around. Administration (principal) is horrendous. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, December 10, 2009

Open Quote My son absolutely loves the school and my Wife and I have never had any issue with anything inappropriate. We are in the process of looking for a new place and I am strongly hoping that we find something close enough for our son to continue attending Burr. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Burr Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 537 0 24 3 2 n/a n/a 1 567
1989 573 0 19 5 1 n/a n/a 0 598
1990 570 1 2 5 0 n/a n/a 0 578
1991 544 1 11 3 0 n/a n/a 0 559
1992 585 3 3 7 4 n/a n/a 0 602
1993 557 3 5 2 2 n/a n/a 0 569
1994 496 6 16 6 6 n/a n/a 0 530
1995 570 5 13 10 2 n/a n/a 0 600
1996 570 5 13 10 2 n/a n/a 0 600
1997 570 5 15 12 0 n/a n/a 0 602
1998 427 8 11 1 0 n/a n/a 0 447
1999 414 7 8 3 2 n/a n/a 0 434
2000 388 7 7 1 1 n/a n/a 15 419
2001 406 5 4 0 4 n/a n/a 0 419
2002 413 5 11 1 0 n/a n/a 0 430
2003 413 5 11 1 0 n/a n/a 0 430
2004 411 10 13 1 0 n/a n/a 0 435
2005 388 15 21 8 0 n/a n/a 0 432
2006 367 6 15 9 0 n/a n/a 0 397
2007 403 6 16 5 0 n/a n/a 4 434
2008 386 8 9 7 n/a n/a n/a 8 418
2009 395 11 9 10 0 n/a n/a 9 434
2010 418 12 8 6 0 n/a n/a 1 445
2011 431 4 7 9 0 0 8 0 459
2012 392 5 14 7 0 0 11 0 429
2013 378 10 15 8 1 1 10 0 423
2014 408 9 16 13 1 1 10 0 458
2015 426 19 15 18 1 1 17 0 497
2016 437 31 12 17 0 2 27 0 526
2017 447 32 9 14 1 2 28 0 533
2018 471 30 15 16 0 2 26 0 560
2019 469 34 14 19 0 2 21 0 559
2020 464 30 18 23 0 1 24 0 560
2021 448 35 13 17 0 1 18 0 532
2022 419 41 9 14 0 0 24 0 507
2023 434 52 20 17 0 0 31 0 554
2024 403 44 18 22 0 0 27 0 514

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Burr Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 567 n/a n/a n/a
1989 598 n/a n/a 7.2
1990 578 35.0 16.5 7.1
1991 559 n/a n/a n/a
1992 602 n/a n/a 13.6
1993 569 n/a 0.0 14.2
1994 530 23.0 23.0 14.7
1995 600 26.6 22.6 16.2
1996 600 26.6 22.6 16.2
1997 602 23.0 26.2 21.8
1998 447 20.0 22.4 13.9
1999 434 19.0 22.8 13.4
2000 419 23.5 17.2 23.3
2001 419 25.4 16.5 25.8
2002 430 26.3 16.3 27.7
2003 430 26.3 16.3 27.7
2004 435 26.1 16.7 30.6
2005 432 26.4 16.4 31.9
2006 397 24.3 16.3 37.8
2007 434 22.4 19.4 31.9
2008 418 25.0 16.7 30.2
2009 434 24.7 17.6 38.4
2010 445 24.4 18.2 48.2
2011 459 23.1 19.8 50.1
2012 429 23.9 17.9 55.2
2013 423 25.4 16.6 61
2014 458 26.5 17.2 63.3
2015 497 28.0 17.7 65.2
2016 526 28.0 18.7 68.6
2017 533 31.5 16.9 67.9
2018 560 31.5 17.7 71.1
2019 559 31.4 17.8 77.6
2020 560 30.0 18.6 76.3
2021 532 27.6 19.2 75.2
2022 507 26.8 18.9 72.4
2023 554 27.9 19.8 78.9
2024 514 29.8 17.2 81.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Burr Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 567 n/a n/a n/a
1989 598 n/a n/a 7.2
1990 578 35.0 16.5 7.1
1991 559 n/a n/a n/a
1992 602 n/a n/a 13.6
1993 569 n/a 0.0 14.2
1994 530 23.0 23.0 14.7
1995 600 26.6 22.6 16.2
1996 600 26.6 22.6 16.2
1997 602 23.0 26.2 21.8
1998 447 20.0 22.4 13.9
1999 434 19.0 22.8 13.4
2000 419 23.5 17.2 23.3
2001 419 25.4 16.5 25.8
2002 430 26.3 16.3 27.7
2003 430 26.3 16.3 27.7
2004 435 26.1 16.7 30.6
2005 432 26.4 16.4 31.9
2006 397 24.3 16.3 37.8
2007 434 22.4 19.4 31.9
2008 418 25.0 16.7 30.2
2009 434 24.7 17.6 38.4
2010 445 24.4 18.2 48.2
2011 459 23.1 19.8 50.1
2012 429 23.9 17.9 55.2
2013 423 25.4 16.6 61
2014 458 26.5 17.2 63.3
2015 497 28.0 17.7 65.2
2016 526 28.0 18.7 68.6
2017 533 31.5 16.9 67.9
2018 560 31.5 17.7 71.1
2019 559 31.4 17.8 77.6
2020 560 30.0 18.6 76.3
2021 532 27.6 19.2 75.2
2022 507 26.8 18.9 72.4
2023 554 27.9 19.8 78.9
2024 514 29.8 17.2 81.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Burr Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,327 (13.5%) $8,523 (86.5%) $9,850
2020 $1,067 (10.6%) $9,038 (89.4%) $10,105
2021 $1,805 (15.7%) $9,704 (84.3%) $11,508
2022 $1,767 (14.2%) $10,648 (85.8%) $12,415
2023 $1,560 (11.6%) $11,883 (88.4%) $13,444

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Burr Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 890th of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 1044th of 1470 Elementary schools
 7.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Burr Elementary School)51.441
 10.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Utica Community Schools)55.352.9
 2.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Burr Elementary School)48.644.2
 4.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Utica Community Schools)60.353
 7.3%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Burr Elementary School)24.526.8
 2.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Utica Community Schools)56.853
 3.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Burr Elementary School)22.319.5
 2.8%
   4th Grade Math (Utica Community Schools)46.142
 4.1%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Burr Elementary School)33.826.8
 7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Utica Community Schools)58.255.5
 2.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Burr Elementary School)20.314.6
 5.7%
   5th Grade Math (Utica Community Schools)46.837.8
 9%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (Burr Elementary School)6.87.3
 0.5%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Utica Community Schools)24.222
 2.2%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)17.418.6
 1.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Burr Elementary School)54.831.4
 23.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Utica Community Schools)58.754.5
 4.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (Burr Elementary School)54.817.6
 37.2%
   6th Grade Math (Utica Community Schools)52.241.2
 11%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students559554
 0.9%
African American3452
 52.9%
American Indian00
Asian1420
 42.9%
Hispanic1917
 10.5%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White469434
 7.5%
Two or More Races2131
 47.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients77.6%78.9%
 1.2%


Schools Near Burr Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Burr Elementary School

Burr Elementary School ranks 1053rd of 1486 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Students who attend Burr Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Davis Junior High School
High : Adlai Stevenson High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 514 students attended Burr Elementary School.

Students at Burr Elementary School are 78% White, 9% African American, 5% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic, 4% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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