Burcham Elementary School

5610 East Monlaco Road

School District

Long Beach Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Long Beach Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on July 17, 2020

My daughter transferred to Burcham at the beginning of third grade from the Torrance school district and it was at Burcham where she truly began to flourish scholastically. Mrs. Cocchi is without a doubt the most amazing teacher I have ever known and I had some wonderful instructors as a child. She's like this effervescent Mary Poppins, always pleasant, always cheering the students on. Underneath her unyielding, enthusiastic countenance belies a truly passionate individual when it comes to learning and this is revealed in the discipline and challenge she puts forth to the class. With a strong third grade year under her belt, our daughter was set for success when it came to fourth and fifth grade, all of her subsequent instructors also taking a vested interest in her progress. Mr. Eckert, the principal for most of the time she was there, was always an endless source of energy and fun for the students. Sadly, we lost him only a month into her fifth grade year due to a personal tragedy and so had a substitute for most of the year that we learned when she graduated would be permanent. While I can't speak on that principal as we really didn't get to know her well due to the circumstances and COVID, I can honestly say that our daughter's three years at Burcham laid the foundation for a burgeoning education. So thankful for the teachers here and absolutely loved the free after school WRAP program. Kept her busy physically, socially, and gave her the support she needed to complete her homework. This school deserves a higher score no doubt.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2019

Excellent school staff and students are friendly and supportive. Principal Eckart is just out of this world amazing with the kids!
Submitted by parent on July 07, 2018

I wouldn't recommend this school due to the lack of strong leadership at school. Kids get away with some terrible things and it's confusing to the kids that want to learn and be good.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2018

I have been pleasantly surprised with Burcham. In a couple years I am sure they will move their score to a 7 or 8 out of 10. Our son is in kindergarten and loves his teacher. The principal is very involved, accessible and fun with the kids.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2017

First year at this school, however I am thus far impressed with parental involvement and enrichment activities available to my 2nd grader. I would encourage staff to challenge students more and get parents involved more in t he classroom experience. The only thing I see missing from this school is academic excellence, but I believe the student body is comprised of a good cross section of abilities.
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2017

Burcham was a great school but has changed drastically in the past couple of years. Advanced classes have disappeared and there are combination (of grades) classes. Students suffer due to being placed outside of their learning abilities. Gone are the days when kids who needed extra help where provided that assistance. Gone are the days when kids who excelled were challenged with appropriate level education. In order to stay "within budget" large classes of mixed grades and abilities are created just to mill the kids through another year. Leadership kowtows to district and forces teachers to stick to the official view. Basic education is being sidelined by more time with Chromebooks, you know...go sit in a corner and busy yourself with a computer. This is exactly the type of things parents try to keep kids away from at home. Not sure if there are alternatives, but this school is going to the dumps.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2017

this school is heavily bussed in. The language used by the children even in lower grade levels is atrocious. The stories about family members who are imprisoned or in gangs is equally disturbing. Pulled our child out after 1 day.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2017

I am beyond impressed with this school. Staff, Teacher, and especially the principal are amazing, very involved and caring about students. Principal has done so much for this school, it is a STEAM/ Stem Pilot school. My third grader has her own google chrome book and my kindergarten access the computer lab every week. PTA is amazing
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2016

I am a educator and am very happy with Burcham! The new principal is awesome and very dedicated to making it a technology based school. He creates a positive environment in this small neighborhood school. We've had great experiences with staff, parents, and students.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2016

We relocated to Long Beach from another state in 2013 and Burcham is our home school (Henry Elem said our children were "too old" to start and we were referred to the next closest school-Burcham). Our child had an IEP with companion therapeutic services from our previous geographical area but obtaining those services and keeping the district on-plan was a CONSTANT struggle, up to and including threatening the district with legal action for being non-compliant. Despite our best efforts and support at home/via private therapeutic interventions, when we started at Burcham my son was in the 3rd grade but his work was that of a kindergartner. He was immediately placed in an RSP classroom, provided with the tools and support he needed to catch up and become and enthusiastic and engaged learner. Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Flores, Ms. Wysong, Mrs. Gauthier, the Speech & Lang/Assisted Technology Teams have all provided an environment of inclusion, positive learning and support which has culminated in our son being able to learn in a general ed, grade level classroom and ready to move on to middle school. I can't speak to any principal before Mrs. Sanchez but both she and Mr. Eckert have impressed me as engaging and involved leaders who genuinely care about their school and take a personal sense of ownership over the administration of the facility and management of the teachers and programs. Burcham is a hidden jewel in Long Beach and I owe the aforementioned educators, therapists and administrators a debt of gratitude for leading my son to a love of learning, a sense of accomplishment and a sense of community that he was never so fortunate to have before moving here.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2016

This is a small, community based school. Starting in Fall 2016 this school will only be open to neighborhood families and school of choice families. We love the feeling of a small school where my child is known and recognized by teachers and staff because the campus is small. My child is excelling academically and I love the small, neighborhood feeling of this school.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2016

In 2015 Burcham welcomed a great new principal, Mr. Eckert. He is focused on education and technology. He is a loving, wonderful full-spirited man who is focused on Burcham academics, technology and students. He has written grants and spent school money on technology including iPads and chrome books for classroom use. He is spear-heading a science lab that is almost complete. He is approachable and open to parent involvement. Please be wary of past comments that mention other principals, Burcham's current principal is AMAZING!
Submitted by other on December 10, 2015

Never had a problem here because I was always involved in my kids schoolwork. teachers are great if they have support from the parents. as long as you stay on top of it, your kids will do well.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2014

Burcham parents or staff, please share how you manage after-school care/support with T-K? I've had a positive impression of the new principal, Mrs. Sanchez, and the TK teacher but am sad there is no after-school option for TK like other grades and schools. I wonder if more families would be willing and able to give Burcham a try if this was addressed? If there is after-school for TK and the WRAP coordinator has incorrect or incomplete information, please share who/where to contact, and I'll happily update my review. I'd hate to think the reviewer and one-star rating (June 6,2012) reflects the current principal, staff and PTA's view (that safe after-school care for working parents is only an individual parent "problem"), but at this point we have to hope we get into another school or else we can't go to TK at all, which is a pretty disappointing way to start our Burcham and LBUSD experience.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2014

We are a neighborhood family and are so grateful that we live close enough to walk and ride to school, It has helped us feel more connected to our neighborhood and my kids get ample time outside because of their comfort in our community. This is priceless and a benefit to going to your local school that many may overlook! We love our teachers and the great PTA at Burcham. We are very happy we chose Burcham!
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2014

Burcham has a renewed focus since Mrs. Sanchez started in Fall 2013. In my opinion, old reviews & earlier criticisms of our school no longer apply. This is a school that WELCOMES parent involvement, has a very active PTA, & staff/teachers that are caring & skilled - all nestled in a quiet & safe neighborhood campus. My kids have been at Burcham for 5 yrs & I d say the school is one of the best kept secrets in LBUSD. Besides engaged teachers & excellent leadership by our principal, we also have a great PTA. Go to the PTA website to see all we do: http://burchampta.org/programs/ Our PTA is also on http://www.Facebook.com/burchamPTA Burcham is one of the few East side schools that has kids from the West side as part of our school a small portion of students are bussed to Burcham. This has sometimes been spoken of as a negative but, to be honest, I think it enriches our school. Our school is a good representation of life in the real world you find all colors, all economic backgrounds, and a range of abilities. So, to close - we have been happy we chose Burcham. Kudos to our staff, PTA & fellow Burcham families for creating a nurturing environment for our Bobcats!
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2013

I'm really liking our new principal Mrs. Sanchez. She's doing a great job of turning our school around. Our school was always good, but she's making it a great school. She really works hard, and we can see the many changes she has done already to the school. She's always walking around the campus dealing with the day to day stuff that happens at school. I love that we go on campus and see her almost everyday, outside, interacting with the kids and parents . She's really what this school needed.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2013

My family is very happy with this school. This school has some of the best teachers in the district. My kids have done well, and their grades and test scores show it. We haven't had any problems with the principal or the office staff either. We are happy with our decision to have our kids attend their home school because... it's close to our home, they are doing well, and they have made some very nice friends.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2012

I too really wanted to like Burcham aside from reading some negative review LISTEN TO TRUTH If you are an involved parent this is NOT the school for you. The principal and staff are very distant and non-corporative. Sitting outside the office you hear the staff making rude comments out students. I have had conversations with the principal promise things to my face and doing something completely contrary to our agreement. My daughter was accepted in the school until Mrs. Diggs found out she needed additional reading help, at which point her spot was given away and I was denied access to the school. It appears if your child needs extra help this school does not want to be bothered and will not reach out to help. The counselor and principle are the first line of defense for any school and with Mr. Miller and Mrs. Diggs representing a teaching institution of caring and concern, in my opinion, they should re-think their profession.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2012

I truly love this school. The teachers are the best. The principal, on the other hand, is not so involved. She hold no one accountable when there is a problem. She is not seen on campus, and hides in her office. As for staff support from her....I think its sad. Our teachers deserve her support. I do not want to see this school close due to bad reviews...but I think people deserve to know what is going on in this school. My daughter will not be attending her 8th grade year there. That breaks my heart. My daughter deserves better support from her principal when it comes to big issues!