About Burton HS

Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High School
400 Mansell Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94134
(415) 469-4550

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 1100+ 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. 

Community School

The Pumas’ Academics, College & Career Enrichment (PACE) Program helps make Burton a vibrant community center in supporting learning for all. Together, we implement the community schools model to ensure that every student graduates college ready. PACE gives youth the tools to thrive, while also strengthening the legs that support them: parents, family and community. All PACE programs and services are free and are open to everyone — especially students, parents and residents of Bayview Hunters Point, the Portola District and Visitacion Valley. In order to participate, just fill out a membership packet!

Language Programs 

Specially designed academic instruction in English across all subject areas 

Student Support Programs 

Wellness center and teen clinic on campus, academic case management, co-teaching/inclusion, individual and group counseling. 

Awards 

National Academy Foundation Most Improved School Award 2010;
Region 5 ACSA Principal of the Year for Valuing Diversity 2017;
SF Mayor's Principal of the Year 2018