About Burlington Area School District:
The Burlington Area School District serves approximately 3000 students in Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth counties. We develop the intellectual, physical, vocational, creative, cultural and social capabilities of students in grades 4K-12. The District’s employees prepare students for the next academic step with the long-term goal of college and career readiness. Sound academic programs and quality learning environments demonstrate excellence to the community. Starting in Fall 2024, the District consists of three elementary schools for grades 5K-4, one of which houses our 4K Center, one middle school for grades 5-8, and a Burlington High School. The District offers both a traditional program and Montessori (for grades 4K-6) as well as services to support students from the most gifted and talented to the students with the greatest challenges.
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History
Three years after Moses Smith and William Whitting staked their claims at the junction of the White and Fox Rivers in 1835, immigrants to the new community organized to offer education. The Whitman school opened in 1839.
Schools opened and closed over the next three decades. This coincided with a pivotal time in the State of Wisconsin for public education. In 1858, plans were made to construct a high school. Mrs. Harriet Dyer Norton received the first diploma in 1863. However, faculty turnover, Civil War, and quarrels between school boards all interrupted instructional continuity. A small class graduated in 1865, then the high school was abandoned until 1872.
In September 1872, high school classes resumed and have been offered in Burlington ever since. The state of Wisconsin passed the State Free High School Law in 1877.
The forming of the Burlington Area School District came over time. Starting in 1951, several high school districts were annexed into a Burlington high school district. The Burlington Area School District formed as a K-12 system in 1966.
Several buildings within the District have been constructed to parallel the growth of the community and student population. The Conkey Street School, later named Cooper School, was dedicated in 1897 with a capacity of 600 pupils. The Lincoln School (now the District office) was remodeled and dedicated on February 12, 1912 – the centennial anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Construction for a new high school on Robert Street began in July 1924. Population growth caused additions to the high school in 1948 and 1955. Growth also brought the construction of Waller School in 1955, which needed an 18-room addition in 1960 to relieve crowding. In 1967, Cooper School was built and the old Cooper School was torn down. Dyer opened in 1964 as a junior high, serving grades 6-8, then started serving grades 5-6 in 2000.
In the late 1990s, plans were drawn up for a new high school campus, adjacent to Gateway Technical College. The 266,600 square-foot high school opened in 2000, leaving the Robert Street school to become Karcher Middle School. During the same time, Lyons Center received an addition, and Winkler Elementary School was built.
In 2021, the district opened a new middle school for students in grades 6-8. The district has five elementary schools serving students in 4K - grade 5. The district's public Montessori program is located at Dyer Elementary School.
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When the building opened as Burlington Union School in 1859, the year in which Lincoln was first nominated for President, only the first floor was open. The upper floor was not finished until 1870. The building has been as a high school, for manufacturing Al-Vista panoramic cameras (until 1900), as the location for kindergarten (and first grade), district office, and in 2021 returned to being a school for the Fox River Consortium program.
- See the historical building and some photos from earlier years.
- Get to know the Fox River Consortium, a partnership with Waterford.
Cooper Montessori School sits on a property that has served the community’s students for generations. As early as 1888 a kindergarten building stood where the Cooper Montessori School stands now. In 1896, construction on the Conkey School started with the school opening in 1897. The Conkey Street building continued to serve as a school until the new Cooper School building opened in January 1968. The Conkey Street School was renamed Cooper School in 1940 in honor of former Burlington resident, Congressman Henry Allen Cooper.
BHS opened on its new campus (adjacent to Gateway) in 2000.
Karcher Middle School opened in Fall of 2021 to serve students in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. By design, the school encourages students in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 to use every space for learning. The building is named after Nettie E. Karcher. Ms. Karcher graduated from Burlington High School, then earned her law degree in 1915.
Project Active Citizen started in 2005 to meet the needs of students ages 18-21. It gives these students a place to explore post-secondary goals. The goal is to help students be as independent as possible. The house, located on Charles St., is more of a classroom. No one permanently lives there, but a home setting provides space to work on projects, cook, and interact with each other.
- Meet program director, Michelle LaBas-Bowen
- Enjoy seeing Tik Tok videos and photos from outings
- Enjoy treats made by the students
- Purchase dog bones made by students as a fundraiser to support field trip expenses.
Dyer Elementary School is named after Dr. Edward G. Dyer, one of Burlington’s first physicians. He believed that slavery was wrong and courageously took part in the underground railroad.
Edward G. Dyer Elementary School opened in 1964 as Burlington’s Junior High for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Later, it was renamed Burlington Middle School. Beginning in 2000-2001 students in grades 4, 5, and 6 attended (dedication on August 29, 2000). From 2001 - 2021, the school served as an intermediate school for students in grades 5 and 6 and the upper levels of the district’s Montessori program. In Fall 2021, Dyer Elementary School started serving students in grades K-5, all Montessori levels, and as a site for extended care. In Fall of 2024 Dyer Elementary School started serving all 4K students and students in grades K-4.
Waller Elementary School received its name from the Waller family who sold a 10-acre plot of land to the district. The groundbreaking on September 27, 1954 marked the start of construction. On September 6, 1955 the building was not completely ready but school started for grades 3-5. By September of 1960, an 18 room addition (south wing) added an art room, music room, teacher’s workroom, 14 classrooms and storage areas. In September of 1963, there was an addition on the north end. Waller Elementary School was rededicated on October 6, 2005, the 50th anniversary. Before the 2018 referendum, the building was showing its age and was overcrowded. Now the elementary school serves students in K-4 with a secure entrance, more natural light, updated features, and adequate space for its students.
In 1998 the Burlington Area School District bought 10 acres for building a new Winkler elementary school. The new Winkler Elementary School cost $2.8 million to build in 1998. The more spacious 26,000 square foot school opened in 1999 featuring a bigger gym, library and cafeteria. The bell from the old school (which was missing for nearly 30 years) is on display in front of Winkler.
Due to a failed operating referendum in February 2024, the only BASD school in Walworth County, closed its doors in June 2024.
Lyons Center Elementary School is situated on 7.2 acres in the heart of Lyons adjacent to Riverview Park. It is a great place to play or enjoy a picnic! Lyons looks forward to showing the community their little school!
Once the annex for the high school, alumni will be shocked at how the building looks today as the administrative offices.
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