Average
#492 of 1,036 schools in AR
Top 47% in state
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
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas schools
#492 of 1,036
In Van Buren
#6 of 11
public schools
In district
#6 of 11
VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Equity
7.8 / 10
Very Good
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James R. Tate Elem. School
Elementary School in Van Buren · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Central Elementary School
3.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
King Elementary School
3.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James R. Tate Elem. School
James R. Tate Elem. School is a public elementary school in Van Buren, AR, part of VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT.
James R. Tate Elem. School serves approximately 466 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio.
James R. Tate Elem. School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #492 of 1,036 schools in AR.
Structured state assessment records for James R. Tate Elem. School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 6.6
- AR avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
James R. Tate Elem. School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James R. Tate Elem. School — Students at James R. Tate Elem. School score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80%
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: 7.6/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), which scores notably higher. Another option is OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JOHN P. WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 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 | 5.1 |
| KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 3.5 mi | 5.1 |
| VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL Van Buren | 4.0 mi | 7.1 |
| BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO Van Buren | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| ALMA HIGH SCHOOL Alma | 4.6 mi | 7.6 |
| ALMA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Alma | 4.9 mi | 5.2 |
| PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 4.5 mi | 7.4 |
| VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY Van Buren | 4.6 mi | 5.9 |
| OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 5.2 mi | 7.8 |
| ALMA MIDDLE SCHOOL Alma | 5.4 mi | 8.4 |
| RIVER VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Van Buren | 5.6 mi | 5.1 |
| 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 | 7.7 |
| L. A. CHAFFIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 6.3 mi | 8.8 |
| ALMA PRIMARY SCHOOL Alma | 6.0 mi | 4.3 |
| JOHN P. WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 6.4 mi | 7.8 |
| SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 5.6 mi | 5.1 |
| SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 5.8 mi | 3.8 |
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 |
|---|---|
| BEARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR | 6.6 |
| FLIPPIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Flippin, AR | 6.6 |
| H.L. LUBKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bald Knob, AR | 6.6 |
| LOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lowell, AR | 6.6 |
| MANILA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Manila, AR | 6.6 |
| PARK MAGNET AN IB PYP WORLD CLASS SCHOOL Hot Springs, AR | 6.6 |
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 ranks #492 of 1,036 schools in AR.
What is James R. Tate Elem. School's MySchoolScout rating?
James R. Tate Elem. School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 James R. Tate Elem. School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James R. Tate Elem. School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.7%
- Phone
- (479) 471-3130
Resources & Links
District
VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 5,809
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,315
- District Rank
- #6 of 11
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