What Burlington Community School District does

Burlington Community School District (BCSD) is a public PK-12 school district and political subdivision of the State of Iowa, serving approximately 3,100-3,200 students across seven campuses in Burlington, Iowa, and recognized as the largest district within the surrounding five-county region. The portfolio comprises four PK-4 elementary schools (Black Hawk, Grimes, North Hill, Sunnyside), Aldo Leopold Intermediate School (grades 5-6, built 2011), Edward Stone Middle School (grades 7-8, built 2012), Burlington High School (grades 9-12, recently completed a $45 million renovation), the Corse Early Childhood Center, and the VIBE Virtual Learning Program (grades 7-12 hybrid). The district operates more than 13 CTE pathways, 19+ AP/Honors classes, 28 concurrent enrollment courses with Southeastern Community College, more than 20 student clubs, 12 music ensembles, and two dozen-plus sports teams.

Program breadth extends beyond academics to include Grayhound Preschool (free 4-year-old and tuition-based 3-year-old programs), the Club M youth mentoring program (the only state-certified student mentoring program in Iowa), the PiECES free afterschool program for K-6 students, the Burlington Home School Assistance Program, the Transition Alliance Program for special education transition planning, and the USDA Community Eligibility Program providing free meals to all enrolled K-12 students regardless of income. The district employs 660+ staff including 255 teachers and teacher leaders.

BCSD's technology stack is composed of standard, off-the-shelf administrative platforms — Infinite Campus for student information, ParentSquare for school-to-home communications, My Ride K-12 (Tyler Technologies) for bus tracking, and Follett Destiny for library catalog — with no disclosed proprietary technology or AI/ML capabilities. Revenue mechanics are typical of an Iowa public school district: a $80M+ annual operating budget funded primarily through state education aid, federal Title and ESSER grants, local property tax levies (including the voter-approved VPPEL), USDA meal reimbursements, competitive grants, and minor tuition/a la carte revenue. The district is governed by a publicly elected seven-member Board of Education and is currently undergoing a superintendent transition, with Nathan Marting succeeding Robert Scott in 2026.

Name

Burlington Community School District

Legal name

Burlington Community School District

Website

https://bcsds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Burlington Community School District is a public PK-12 school district in Burlington, Iowa, serving approximately 3,100-3,200 students across seven campuses plus a virtual learning program, with a $80M+ operating budget funded by state aid, property taxes, and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs) (EDAJALAM), Academic/School-Readiness Preschools (EDACABAB)

Keywords

• Public K-12 education
• Career technical education
• Virtual learning programs
• Preschool education
• After-school programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State and Federal Funding: Primary revenue source from Iowa state education funding and federal education programs including Title funding, Every Student Succeeds Act, At-risk funding, Early Literacy funding, and Medicaid billing
2. Property Tax Revenue: Local property tax levies support district operations including the Voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (VPPEL) for facility improvements
3. Community Eligibility Program Reimbursements: USDA reimbursements for free meals served to all students under CEP program
4. Tuition-Based Programs: 3-year-old preschool program operates on tuition basis with scholarship options available
5. Grants and Competitive Funding: Competitive grants including ESSER funding, SAVE funding, 21st Century Community Learning Center grants, GEAR UP Iowa, and various other state and federal grants
6. A La Carte Food Sales: Additional food and beverage items available for purchase at BHS that are not covered under CEP meal program

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Burlington Community School District provides comprehensive public preschool through 12th-grade education across eight campuses in Burlington, Iowa, serving approximately 3,100-3,200 students. Offerings include standard academic instruction, 13 career and technical education pathways, 19+ AP and Honors courses, 28 concurrent enrollment courses with Southeastern Community College, free meals under the USDA Community Eligibility Program, free K-6 afterschool programming (PiECES), youth mentoring (Club M), the VIBE hybrid virtual learning program for grades 7-12, special education services, transportation, and extensive extracurricular activities including athletics, music, and clubs.

Product overview

Burlington Community School District operates as a comprehensive K-12 public education system serving approximately 3,100-3,200 preschool through 12th-grade students across eight campuses in Burlington, Iowa. The district's portfolio includes four elementary schools (PK-4), Aldo Leopold Intermediate School (grades 5-6), Edward Stone Middle School (grades 7-8), Burlington High School (grades 9-12), VIBE Virtual Learning Program (grades 7-12 hybrid), and Corse Early Childhood Center (preschool). Academic offerings span 13 CTE pathways, more than 25 college-level and AP courses, 12 music ensembles, over 20 student clubs, and over two dozen sports teams. The district also provides Grayhound Preschool (free 4-year-old and tuition-based 3-year-old programs), PiECES free afterschool programming (K-6), Club M youth mentoring (K-4), Burlington Home School Assistance Program, certification courses (CNA, Healthcare, Coaching, Officiating), Community Eligibility Program (free meals), transportation services, and summer programs including Safety Town. Major capital projects include the $45 million completed Burlington High School renovation and the upcoming Grayhound Performing Arts Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VIBE Virtual Learning Program: A 7-12 hybrid virtual program offering flexible virtual, in-person and hybrid educational options with personalized online learning experiences.
• Club M
• PiECES Afterschool Program
• Grayhound Preschool

Products and services

• VIBE Virtual Learning Program 7-12 hybrid virtual program offering flexible virtual, in-person, and hybrid educational options with personalized online learning and optional in-person enrichment activities.
• Grayhound Preschool Free 4-year-old preschool following Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards using Creative Curriculum with 11 interest areas; 3-year-old preschool available as tuition-based program with scholarships.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways 13 career and technical education pathways including Automotive Tech, Business/Marketing, Communication Technology, Computer Science, Cosmetology, Construction, Culinary, Education/Training, Engineering/CAD, Health Sciences, Manufacturing, Public Safety, and Welding.
• PiECES Afterschool Program Free quality afterschool programming until 6 p.m. each full school day available to all K-6 students, including homework help, play, and student-driven clubs.
• Club M Youth Mentoring Program The only certified student mentoring program in Iowa, matching high school mentors with K-4 mentees for weekly enrichment activities at Burlington High School.
• Burlington Home School Assistance Program Program delivering resources, support, and community to families educating children in homeschool environments, including enrichment classes, field trips, and instructional supervision.
• Certification Courses Five certification courses at Burlington High School: CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), Healthcare Assistant, Patient Access to Healthcare, Coaching, and Officiating.
• Community Eligibility Program (Free Meal Service) USDA Food and Nutrition Service program providing free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled K-12 students regardless of household income, with a la carte items available for purchase.
• Transition Alliance Program (TAP) Program supporting special education students with transition planning and services.
• Student Transportation Services Free school bus transportation for eligible students based on grade level and distance from school, plus a free city bus program with Burlington Urban Services via the My Ride K-12 tracking app.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Burlington Urban Services (BUS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Pilot program launched 2023-24 school year providing free city busing for BCSD students during BUS regular operating hours with valid school ID.
• Southeastern Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing 28 concurrent enrollment courses allowing BHS students to earn college credit while in high school. Automotive Technology CTE pathway is offered at SCC campus in West Burlington.
• Greater Burlington PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development partnership supporting district initiatives and community engagement. Collaborated on bringing Mark Perna to Des Moines County for community events.
• Tyler TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of My Ride K-12 mobile application for parents and students to view bus routes, stops, schedules, and real-time tracking.
• Bray ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural firm hired for BHS renovation project and Grayhound Performing Arts Center project.
• Carl A. Nelson & CompanycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction management firm for BHS renovation and Grayhound Performing Arts Center projects.
• USDA Food and Nutrition ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Eligibility Program (CEP) enabling free meals for all K-12 students regardless of household income.
• Iowa Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing regulatory oversight, funding, and alignment with Iowa Academic Standards and Chapter 12 Accreditation Requirements.
• Area Education Agency (AEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides shared programs and services including English Language Learners support, special education coordination, and professional development.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Imagine Learning: K-12 educational services and virtual curriculum provider that competes in the same instructional space as BCSD's VIBE program. Operates as a private-sector alternative in the Iowa market, providing a technology-enabled contrast to traditional public school delivery.

Direct peers

• Iowa City Community School District: Iowa public school district operating comprehensive K-12 programming with strong CTE, concurrent enrollment, and college-readiness offerings. Operates under identical state funding and accreditation frameworks as BCSD.
• Davenport Community School District: One of Iowa's largest public school districts, serving the Quad Cities area with similar PK-12 structure, multiple campuses, CTE pathways, and free/reduced meal programs. Directly comparable in scale and operational complexity.
• Ottumwa Community School District: Southeast Iowa public school district operating multiple K-12 campuses under the same state regulatory framework. Similar scale and program mix to BCSD, with overlapping regional labor market.
• Dubuque Community School District: Mid-sized Iowa public school district serving K-12 students with comprehensive academic, CTE, and extracurricular programming. Operates under the same Iowa Department of Education oversight and Chapter 12 accreditation framework as BCSD.
• Cedar Rapids Community School District: Another large Iowa public school district operating multiple K-12 campuses with similar CTE, AP, and concurrent enrollment structures. Comparable in mission, funding model (state aid + property tax), and regulatory environment to BCSD.
• Muscatine Community School District: Southeast Iowa public school district of comparable size to BCSD, serving PK-12 students with similar academic and extracurricular programming. Geographic and demographic peer within the same region.

Regional players

• Fort Madison Community School District: Neighboring Southeast Iowa public school district in Lee County serving K-12 students. Operates under the same state funding and accreditation framework; directly competes with BCSD for open-enrollment students in the region.
• West Burlington Independent School District: Small public school district physically adjacent to Burlington. Competes directly with BCSD for students in the Burlington metro area and operates under identical Iowa state regulatory and funding frameworks.

Others

• Southeastern Community College: Partner institution (28 concurrent enrollment courses with BCSD) and a regional postsecondary provider. Comparable as an educational services organization in the same Southeast Iowa geography, though operating at a different academic level.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bhsactivities8931
• Facebookfacebook.com/ActivitiesBHS
• Xx.com/BCSDgrayhounds
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/burlington-community-school-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Burlington Community School District