Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are your hours and location?
The school day is from 8:15-3:15. We are located at 1630 W. Barry Avenue in Lakeview, one block south of the three-way intersection of Lincoln, Belmont, and Ashland.


Q: What type of school is Burley?
Burley is a neighborhood school. It is also a CPS Magnet Cluster School in the focus area of Literature, Writing, and Technology. Our Magnet Cluster Program emphasizes student choice; authentic, joyful, skillful reading and writing; and thoughtful, creative uses of technology. Burley has an attendance boundary defined by CPS as well as a lottery process for families outside our boundary.


Q: How do I enroll my child if I live in your attendance area?
Call the school office at 773-534-5475 to schedule a registration appointment. If you are registering over the summer, be sure to call first, as summer office hours are limited.
You will need to bring:
- Child(ren)'s original birth certificate
- Doctor's physical form with immunization record
- Two current utility bills to prove address address 
- Parent(s) current Illinois Driver's Licenses or State ID

Please note that the address on your driver's license must match your registration address.

PS also requires a vision exam for new students and dental exams for Kindergarten, 2nd, and 6th grades.


Q: What are your attendance boundaries?
Please visit cps.edu/schools and use the CPS School Locator to view Burley's attendance boundaries. You may also call the Department of School Demographics and Planning at 773-553-3270.


Q: How do I enroll my child if I live outside your attendance area?
If you do not live within our attendance boundaries and your child is in Kindergarten or older, you will need to participate in the CPS Lottery Process at go.cps.edu. Lottery applications for fall admission are due in December of the previous year, and the lottery is conducted entirely by CPS central office. 


Q: What about lunch and recess?
Students go outdoors for recess each day during lunch break, weather permitting. Kindergarten students have extended outdoor play opportunities each day.  

Hot lunch is provided free to all CPS students. Students are also welcome to bring their own lunches. To promote student health, students are not permitted to bring candy or soft drinks to school.

Q: I am a prospective parent. Can I come tour the school?
Choosing the right learning environment for your child can be an overwhelming process. We look forward to offering the opportunity for you to come visit our school, see our teachers and students in action, and ask any questions you may have. This year, we will offer tours beginning in spring of 2023. Please check back for more information.


Q: Does Burley have art and music?
All students receive weekly visual art instruction provided by Burley's full time art teacher. Weekly music instruction is provided at Burley by the Merit School of Music. Our music program includes general music instruction, introduction to rhythm and note relationships, and different levels of band and choir.

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Q: Do you offer physical education?
Burley's full time physical education teacher provides instruction to all students weekly. Classes emphasize healthy choices, athletic skills, teamwork, and lifelong fitness.


Q: What types of technology do students use? 
All classrooms at Burley have iPads or Chromebooks for student use. Burley also has a state of the art Media Center where students receive weekly technology instruction. Our school offers a technology program that includes digital photography and design, animation, coding, presentation and publishing, media and information literacy, music and video editing, and more. Technology offers powerful opportunities to learn, create, and connect. At Burley, it is used to enhance and extend, not replace, hands-on and face to face learning experiences.


Q: What does Burley offer before and after school?
Burley offers a wide variety of after school clubs. Reading and math academic clubs provide additional instruction and support for students. Recreational clubs change from year to year; previous teacher- and parent-led offerings have included Drama, Chess, Art, Little Chefs Cooking, Woodworking, Animation, and Dance. In addition, Burley's teacher coaches lead various sports teams. 

Our school works with many community partners such as Language Stars, Girls on the Run, Go Get Your Smock, and Mad Science to provide additional after school clubs. Burley School partners with the Merit School of Music to provide band before school. Families who need before and/or after school care may use our partnership program with the Lakeview YMCA. If you are interested in before or after care, contact the Lakeview Y directly.


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Q: Do you have a gifted program?
The Burley philosophy is that all children are gifted. All classrooms have children working at different academic levels, and teachers differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners. Teachers also use flexible grouping within classrooms to support and challenge each student. The interdisciplinary, literature-based nature of our curriculum allows for a wide range of activities and resources, and teachers are skilled in guiding students to the projects and materials necessary for individual growth. Assignments are open-ended and are extended or modified as needed.