Burlingame School District

The Burlingame School District has a rich history that traces back to the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. The earthquake prompted a significant population increase in Burlingame, from around 200 residents before the disaster to approximately 1000 in 1907. Prior to this surge, Burlingame's children were educated through the county at the Burlingame School on Peninsula Avenue and County Road (El Camino), which was constructed in 1906 and later renamed Peninsula Avenue Schools.

The desire for a dedicated school district led Burlingame residents to vote in favor of its establishment in 1911. Plans were set in motion to build a permanent school, designed by renowned architect William H. Weeks. In 1912, during construction, a temporary 8-room schoolhouse known as "the little red schoolhouse" was erected on Howard and Primrose streets.

In September 1913, the first permanent Burlingame School opened its doors on the corner of Oak Grove and Grange (now Paloma Avenue). Known as Burlingame Grammar School, the meticulously designed brick building featured stunning details and columns on the front, a hallmark of Weeks' architectural style. Over the years, Burlingame's McKinley School has remained vibrant, embracing various traditions such as cookbook sales, Fathers Clubs events, operettas, plays, many of which continue to thrive today.

The centennial celebration of McKinley School in 2013 marked a significant milestone in its history. The school's enduring legacy and impact on the Burlingame community were commemorated through a festival held on the school grounds, reflecting its ongoing dedication to education and community engagement.[3]

Schools within the district are Burlingame Intermediate School (6th–8th), Franklin Elementary School, Hoover Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School, and Washington Elementary School.[4]

The Dual Immersion Program, also known as the Spanish Immersion Program, is a distinctive educational initiative within the Burlingame School District. Introduced in 2007 at McKinley Elementary School, this program follows a Two-Way Bilingual Immersion model that promotes bilingualism and cross-cultural understanding.

Students in the program, regardless of their initial language background, engage in an immersive environment where English-speaking students learn Spanish, and Spanish-speaking students receive a bilingual education. The curriculum mirrors state educational standards and is carefully designed to combine language instruction with cultural immersion, fostering a comprehensive educational experience.

A notable feature of the program is its unique curriculum strategy, which begins with 90% of instruction in Spanish in the initial year, gradually integrating English over successive years. This approach ensures students achieve fluency in both languages by grade 8, enhancing their linguistic and cultural competencies.

Collaboration between English-speaking and Spanish-speaking students in shared classrooms promotes active language acquisition and a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives. The program's overarching goal is to develop fully bilingual students equipped with cross-cultural skills and a global outlook.

The Dual Immersion Program's success is evidenced by graduates who demonstrate high levels of cross-cultural competency, making them well-prepared for future academic and professional pursuits. This approach has gained recognition not only within the Burlingame School District but also from families outside the district seeking a comprehensive and forward-looking education for their children.[5]

The California Distinguished School Awards is a prestigious recognition program that honors outstanding educational institutions in the state of California. These awards acknowledge schools for their exceptional contributions to education and their dedication to creating an enriching learning environment.

Within the Burlingame School district, several schools have been recipients of the California Distinguished School Award. With the exception of McKinley Elementary, all schools in the district have achieved this esteemed award at least once.[6]

The list of awarded schools and their respective recognition years is as follows:

• Burlingame Intermediate School: 1988, 1994, 2003, 2013, 2021
• Franklin Elementary: 2002, 2010
• Lincoln Elementary: 1989, 2018
• Hoover Elementary: 2020
• Roosevelt Elementary: 2012
• Washington Elementary: 2008

Burlingame Intermediate School - Trojans[7]

Franklin Elementary School - Falcons[8]

Lincoln Elementary School - Lions[9]

Hoover Elementary School - Hawks[10]

Roosevelt Elementary School - Bears[11]

Washington Elementary School - Wildcats[12]

McKinley Elementary School - Bulldogs[13]

• Gonzales, Neil and Kimberly S. Wetzel. San Mateo County Times at the Oakland Tribune. December 2, 2008. Article ID: 11122678. "So many California children are seeking subsidized school meals that funds to[...]Given the state's financial crisis, Burlingame School District officials[...]"
• Mills-Faraudo, T.S. "School district playing it safe." San Mateo County Times. October 11, 2003. "Playing it safe Fear of large future expenses has Burlingame School District[...]Caryn Becker, administrator for the California Department of Education, said the[...]"
• Morente, Christine. "District links students with cyber charter." San Mateo County Times. August 17, 2004. "About 20 of the region's students have enrolled in the California Virtual[...]In July, the Burlingame School District agreed to a two-year partnership with[...]"

• Official Burlingame School District web site