Welcome to Burton!

School code number: 764 
Grade level: 9-12 
Hours: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
(with extended programs until 6:00 PM) 

Who We Are

Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High School was established in 1984 as a result of a Consent Decree between the City of San Francisco and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Although it opened its doors in the Silver Terrace neighborhood, today it is located at 400 Mansell Avenue, in the Southeastern corner of San Francisco. Our school was named after Phillip Burton, a member of the California Assembly from 1957 - 1964 and a U.S. Representative of California from 1964 - 1983. As a democrat, Phillip Burton championed the civil rights of others. Mr. Burton also served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict and was a delegate to Democratic National Convention from California in 1968.

The quality of instruction and leadership at Burton can best be evaluated by the product we send to the colleges and universities of this nation. Each year, 75% of the graduating class enrolls in colleges and universities. We have students attending the following schools of higher learning: Columbia University, New York University, Penn State, M.I.T., University of California Berkeley, Fisk University, Spelman College and Dillard University. Our students compete, maintain their placements, and graduate.

Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High School promotes a nurturing, equitable school culture committed to high-level academic achievement for all students. Our student-centered learning communities engage students in rigorous, inquiry-based learning while also building personal relationships that support students in their pursuits. Burton graduates are creative and critical thinkers who use the foundations of the core curriculum and their commitment to social justice to make positive contributions to society. Our school serves as a model for institutions everywhere, and our graduates are recruited by colleges and businesses that recognize them as leaders. 

Burton's diverse 1300+ student body represents every ethnicity, socio-economic group, and neighborhood of San Francisco. Our main Access and Equity initiative is called Essential Learning. Our focus is to create a school-wide understanding of high achievement of essential learning; develop learning opportunities in each class, department, interdisciplinary group, differentiating for all students; measure student progress toward essential learning; and make changes to program, lessons, and support structures to improve student progress toward essential learning. The Academies at Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High School are small, diverse learning communities designed to personalize the educational experience for all students. We believe that students learn best in a school environment where they are supported and nurtured by the school staff and their classmates. 

Burton is a Student Centered School. Families and community members play a larger part in the Burton program and design, and students and parents are excited to be a part of the Burton community. 

Highlights & Diversity

ADA Access Card

School Highlights

Trivia Questions and Answers

Uniforms 

Burton enforces a school responsible and appropriate dress code. 

Afterschool Programs 

Burton is proud to have an extensive partnership with the Bayview YMCA, which runs the Bayview Beacon at Burton.  We have classes offered by City College on Saturdays and after school.  The Beacon runs the Teen Center that offers programs that include intramurals, student-led workshops on a variety of topics, swimming lessons, and drivers' education.  Also, we have peer tutoring, teacher-led tutoring, and SF State University students tutoring during lunchtime and afterschool.  The very active Associated Student Body spearheads all dances, food fests, and spirit week activities, including rallies and cultural assemblies.