Average
#610 of 1,035 schools in AR
Central Elementary School
Elementary School · VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT
501 N 24TH ST, Van Buren, AR 72956
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Van Buren
#9 of 11
public schools
Arkansas elementary schools
#246 of 509
In district
#9 of 11
VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School is a regular public school located in Van Buren, Arkansas, nestled within Crawford County. Situated at 501 N 24th St, the school serves kindergarten through fifth grade students with an enrollment of 489 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, ensuring a relatively personalized learning environment. The dedicated staff includes 27 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their young scholars.
Academically, Central Elementary School is ranked at the 40th percentile in Arkansas, with an overall state ranking of #626 out of 1044 schools. While the school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.0/10 and the academic score is 4.5/10, these metrics highlight areas for growth, particularly in ELA/Reading proficiency where only 29% of students are deemed proficient or above. In mathematics, a slightly stronger performance shows that 40% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards.
Central Elementary School’s setting places it in a mid-size suburb, offering students a blend of community engagement and suburban comfort. The school is deeply embedded within the local fabric, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for its young learners.
Score Breakdown
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Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.5/10.
How Central Elementary School Compares
See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 31% (2019) to 29% (2022).
Location
501 N 24TH ST, Van Buren, AR 72956
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), which scores notably higher. Another option is PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Van Buren, see our Van Buren schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO Van Buren | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL Van Buren | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY Van Buren | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| RIVER VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Van Buren | 2.7 mi | 3.3 |
| NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Van Buren | 2.8 mi | 7.6 |
| RENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 2.8 mi | 6.5 |
| SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.5 mi | 3.0 |
| JAMES R. TATE ELEM. SCHOOL Van Buren | 3.3 mi | 5.5 |
| HARRY C. MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.8 mi | 5.6 |
| UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith | 4.0 mi | 7.8 |
| TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.0 mi | 6.8 |
| SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.4 mi | 4.7 |
| EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 5.6 mi | 8.4 |
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 5.3 mi | 2.4 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith | 5.9 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 72956 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,387
Median Home Value
$177,100
Median Rent
$825/mo
Population
34,102
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
69.4%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $60,387. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,100, with a median rent of $825/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANNA STRONG LEARNING ACADEMY Marianna, AR | 6.0 |
| DEQUEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dequeen, AR | 6.0 |
| DEQUEEN PRIMARY Dequeen, AR | 6.0 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Camden, AR | 6.0 |
| HILL FARM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bryant, AR | 6.0 |
| HUNTSVILLE INTERMEDIATE SCH Huntsville, AR | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary School
What grades does Central Elementary School serve?
Central Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 489 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary School rank in AR?
Central Elementary School is ranked #610 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 39.7% math proficiency and 29.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elementary School a charter school?
No, Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary School?
74.6% of students at Central Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,524/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Van Buren). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 489
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Crawford County
- Phone
- (479) 474-3150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 5,809
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,315
- District Rank
- #9 of 11
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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