Average
#727 of 1,035 schools in AR
James R. Tate Elem. School
Elementary School · VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT
406 CATCHER RD, Van Buren, AR 72956
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Van Buren
#10 of 11
public schools
Arkansas elementary schools
#295 of 509
In district
#10 of 11
VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT
About James R. Tate Elem. School
James R. Tate Elementary School is a regular public school located in Van Buren, Arkansas, nestled in the rural surroundings of Crawford County on Catcher Road. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school provides an inclusive educational environment with 466 enrolled students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1.
With 27 full-time equivalent teachers, James R. Tate Elementary School focuses on fostering individual growth and development. Academically, while the MySchoolScout rating is 4.3 out of 10 and the state ranking places it at #796 out of 1044 schools in Arkansas (24th percentile), the school remains committed to improving educational outcomes for its students.
Currently, 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 39% meet these standards in Math. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on academic growth and student development. James R.
Tate Elementary School serves a rural community near Van Buren, providing an essential educational hub for its local families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, James R. Tate Elem. School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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James R. Tate Elem. School — Students at James R. Tate Elem. School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80%
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: 6.2/10.
How James R. Tate Elem. School Compares
See how James R. Tate Elem. School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
406 CATCHER RD, Van Buren, AR 72956
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James R. Tate Elem. School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JOHN P. WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Van Buren, see our Van Buren schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 3.3 mi | 6.0 |
| KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 3.5 mi | 7.5 |
| VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL Van Buren | 4.0 mi | 7.6 |
| BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO Van Buren | 4.0 mi | 6.8 |
| ALMA HIGH SCHOOL Alma | 4.6 mi | 6.7 |
| ALMA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Alma | 4.9 mi | 3.5 |
| PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 4.5 mi | 8.3 |
| VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY Van Buren | 4.6 mi | 6.4 |
| OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 5.2 mi | 7.1 |
| ALMA MIDDLE SCHOOL Alma | 5.4 mi | 5.5 |
| RIVER VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Van Buren | 5.6 mi | 3.3 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith | 6.0 mi | 6.3 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith | 6.0 mi | 6.8 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith | 6.0 mi | 7.9 |
| NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Van Buren | 5.7 mi | 7.6 |
| L. A. CHAFFIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 6.3 mi | 8.5 |
| ALMA PRIMARY SCHOOL Alma | 6.0 mi | 4.4 |
| JOHN P. WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 6.4 mi | 7.7 |
| SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 5.6 mi | 6.1 |
| SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 5.8 mi | 3.0 |
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 James R. Tate Elem. 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 |
|---|---|
| ACORN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mena, AR | 5.5 |
| BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR | 5.5 |
| FOX MEADOW ELEMENTARY Jonesboro, AR | 5.5 |
| JUNCTION CITY ELEM. SCHOOL Junction City, AR | 5.5 |
| LOUISA PERRITT PRIMARY Arkadelphia, AR | 5.5 |
| MARKED TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Marked Tree, AR | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James R. Tate Elem. School
What grades does James R. Tate Elem. School serve?
James R. Tate Elem. School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend James R. Tate Elem. School?
James R. Tate Elem. School has an enrollment of approximately 466 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James R. Tate Elem. School?
The student-teacher ratio at James R. Tate Elem. School is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James R. Tate Elem. School rank in AR?
James R. Tate Elem. School is ranked #727 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is James R. Tate Elem. School's MySchoolScout rating?
James R. Tate Elem. School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 James R. Tate Elem. School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James R. Tate Elem. School has 38.7% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James R. Tate Elem. School a charter school?
No, James R. Tate Elem. School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James R. Tate Elem. School a Title I school?
No, James R. Tate Elem. School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James R. Tate Elem. School?
80.0% of students at James R. Tate Elem. 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 466
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Crawford County
- Phone
- (479) 471-3130
- 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
- #10 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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