Understanding Burlington HS vs S. Burlington HS (South Burlington: school district, tax)

[timeinabottle1987]

Can anyone confirm or shed light on the differences between Burlington High School and South Burlington High School?

We're ten years out from high school, and a lot will change in that time, but we're looking to live in Burlington or S. Burlington and trying to understand the high school situation.

Burlington HS doesn't look to be highly related and I'm told it's because of UVM and that it causes there to be less of a tax base in Burlington than South Burlington. Thus, S. Burlington is a much better high school and I'm told this lack of a tax base dynamic will continue to cripple Burlington HS.

However, when I look at the numbers, the budget for the Burlington School District is much higher. Even though they have more students, there is a couple thousand more spent per student on Burlington School District vs South Burlington (if my numbers are correct).

So is Burlington HS really considerably "worse" than S. Burlington? If it is currently not great, do you see leadership being able to change this course over the next few years?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

[vter]

Its demographics-generally the higher socio-economic population the better the test scores. South Burlington is mostly middle and upper middle class. There is more poverty in Burlington and Burlington is also much more diverse with many students where english is a second language. I wouldn't hesitate to send my kids to either school.

[timeinabottle1987]

Vter, thank you for the reply. Makes perfect sense. I appreciate this perspective.