Mentoring for Burbank USD Students

Blackburn Mentoring gives Burbank Unified students one mentor who helps them plan the week, keep A to G and graduation requirements on track and follow through, in person in Los Angeles or by video. That includes high school students in the district’s independent study program, where a student does most of the work alone and structure has to come from somewhere. A parent can join the free 20 minute intro call for high school students, agree the goals and get regular updates.

Mentors are not tutors and do not promise grades. They work on the skills behind schoolwork: planning, starting, estimating time, asking for help early and getting back on track after a slip.

Burbank Unified at a glance

Burbank Unified enrolled 13,820 students in 2025 to 2026 according to Ed-Data, the K to 12 data partnership that includes the California Department of Education. The district lists 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 3 high schools, plus an adult school, alternative education and an independent learning program. It also describes career technical education that runs from culinary arts to video production, and business academies with work based learning.

That mix matters in a city where so many parents work in media and production. Students often carry part time jobs, internships, performing or set schedules alongside a full course load, and a plan that works in September can fall apart when a parent’s shoot schedule changes. A mentor helps the student build one realistic week and keep it.

Independent study in Burbank: freedom that needs structure

Burbank Unified’s independent study is now for grades 9 to 12 only; the district says elementary and middle school learning is held in person, according to its independent study page. High school students choose between two models:

Course based. One or two courses at a time, each finished in 22 days before the next one starts, with in person instruction once a week and independent work the rest of the time. The district describes it as a fit for students who focus better on one course at a time or want to accelerate.
Traditional. Six courses at a time over the full semester, with at least one in person session a week for each class plus independent work.
Students in either model may take up to two in person classes at their comprehensive high school, depending on availability, and must sign an independent study contract before starting.

A 22 day clock is unforgiving. Lose one week to a busy shoot, a family trip or plain avoidance and the course is suddenly behind. This is exactly where a mentor helps: breaking each course into daily targets, checking progress between sessions and catching a slide in the first week rather than the third. For how independent study works statewide, see the California Department of Education quick guide.

Graduation requirements and the A to G gap

Each Burbank high school publishes the graduation requirements for its classes, and the state minimums are listed by the California Department of Education. Ask your student’s counselor for the current list, especially before switching between a comprehensive high school and independent study, so credits line up.

One thing every Burbank family should know: finishing the district’s graduation requirements and being eligible for the University of California or California State University are not the same test. UC asks for 15 A to G courses with a grade of C or better, at least 11 of them done before senior year, and a 3.0 GPA for California residents, according to UC Admissions. Our free A to G checker and UC and CSU GPA calculator let a student see where they stand in a few minutes, and a mentor turns the gaps into a semester plan.

Calendar notes for Burbank families

Dates change every year, so use the official Burbank Unified instructional calendars. A mentor plans around the district’s grading periods, the run up to finals and the return from winter and spring break. For application windows, test dates and AP exams, see our school year calendar for Los Angeles families.

How mentoring supports Burbank students

Independent study pacing. Daily targets, a weekly check against the 22 day or semester deadline and a plan for the weeks that go sideways.
Students with jobs, performing or production schedules. One calendar that holds school, work and rest. See our guide to school on set in California if your student works as a performer.
Career academies and CTE pathways. Work based learning and project deadlines need the same planning habits as academic classes. A mentor helps the student treat both as real work.
Eighth grade to high school. More teachers, more portals and longer projects arrive at once. A weekly planning routine set up before ninth grade makes the jump easier.
Using the school team. When the family wants it, the mentor helps the student prepare questions for the counselor or independent study teacher so meetings produce a plan.

In person or by video

Our team is based in Los Angeles. Burbank families can meet in person at a convenient, appropriate place agreed on the intro call, or use video sessions on busy nights. Early morning, evening and weekend times are available.

How to start

Take a short assessment. Tell us about your student and the goals. It takes about five minutes.
Have a free 20 minute intro call. For high school students, a parent is welcome to join. We talk through fit, schedule and how your student would meet.
Meet the mentor. New clients are matched with one mentor within two business days.
Start the plan. Regular sessions by video, or in person in Los Angeles, with check ins between them.

For independent study and online public school rules across the county, see mentoring for independent study students in LA County.

Common questions

Can a mentor help with Burbank Unified independent study?

Yes. Mentors help independent study students break each course into daily targets, keep pace with the course deadline and get back on track quickly after a missed week. The independent study teacher still teaches and grades the course.

Does Burbank Unified offer independent study for middle school?

The district’s independent study page says the program is for grades 9 to 12 and that elementary and middle school learning is held in person. Check with the district for the current rules.

Is mentoring the same as tutoring?

No. Mentors help with planning, routines, follow through and confidence. A mentor can work alongside a tutor if your student needs help with course content.

How involved are parents?

For high school students a parent can join the intro call, agree the goals and get regular updates. The student owns the weekly plan.

Get started

Looking for a mentor for a Burbank Unified student? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free 20 minute intro call.

Book a free intro call Text us

Free, by video, 20 minutes, with a member of our team. Weekdays 9 to 5 Pacific.

Mentoring for Burbank USD Students and Families