Average
#810 of 1,036 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
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas schools
#810 of 1,036
In Van Buren
#9 of 11
public schools
In district
#9 of 11
VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Central Elementary School
Elementary School in Van Buren · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
King Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Butterfield Trail Middle Schoo
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Van Buren, AR, part of VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT. Central Elementary School serves approximately 489 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #810 of 1,036 schools in AR.
Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.1 · Average
- District avg 6.6
- AR avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)
Based on 37 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: 5.2/10.
How Central Elementary School Compares
See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is RENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 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 | 5.1 |
| BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO Van Buren | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL Van Buren | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY Van Buren | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
| RIVER VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Van Buren | 2.7 mi | 5.1 |
| NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Van Buren | 2.8 mi | 7.7 |
| RENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.0 mi | 5.1 |
| SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.5 mi | 3.8 |
| JAMES R. TATE ELEM. SCHOOL Van Buren | 3.3 mi | 6.6 |
| HARRY C. MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.4 mi | 4.1 |
| DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.8 mi | 5.9 |
| UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith | 4.0 mi | 7.8 |
| TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.0 mi | 4.3 |
| SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.4 mi | 4.0 |
| EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 5.6 mi | 6.8 |
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 5.3 mi | 3.9 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bay, AR | 5.1 |
| BERRYVILLE INTERMEDIATE SCH Berryville, AR | 5.1 |
| KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren, AR | 5.1 |
| LISA ACADEMY WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock, AR | 5.1 |
| MARKED TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Marked Tree, AR | 5.1 |
| SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR | 5.1 |
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 ranks #810 of 1,036 schools in AR.
What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.0%
- Phone
- (479) 474-3150
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
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