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Very Good

#271 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 26% in state

Rena Elementary School

Elementary School · VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT

720 RENA RD, Van Buren, AR 72956

Enrollment

412

Student-Teacher

18.7:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#271 of 1,036

In Van Buren

#3 of 11

public schools

In district

#3 of 11

VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Rena Elementary School

7.5/10

Elementary School in Van Buren · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northridge Middle School

7.7/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

River Valley Virtual Academy

5.1/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Rena Elementary School

Rena Elementary School is a public elementary school in Van Buren, AR, part of VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT. Rena Elementary School serves approximately 412 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Rena Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #271 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Rena Elementary School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.6
  • AR avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

40% of students at Rena Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.9% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg+17.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected+9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment1.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,315
Chronic Absenteeism40.3%

Rena Elementary School — Students at Rena Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.1% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 54.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.3% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 37 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
76%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
83%
2013
Math
79%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
46%
2016
Math
61%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
64%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
68%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
68%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
59%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
59%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
58%
ELA
49%
2025
Math
56.9%
ELA
44%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Rena Elementary School Compares

See how Rena Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
74th percentile in AR
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

720 RENA RD, Van Buren, AR 72956

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rena Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), a more accessible option. For more schools in Van Buren, see our Van Buren schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.0 mi
School Distance Rating
NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Van Buren 1.0 mi 7.7
RIVER VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Van Buren 1.0 mi 5.1
VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY Van Buren 1.4 mi 5.9
OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.5 mi 7.8
PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.7 mi 7.4
VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL Van Buren 2.1 mi 7.1
BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO Van Buren 2.4 mi 5.5
HARRY C. MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.8 mi 4.1
KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 2.7 mi 5.1
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 2.8 mi 5.1
SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.6 mi 5.1
TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.0 mi 4.3
SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.4 mi 3.8
UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith 4.6 mi 7.8
DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.7 mi 5.9
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.2 mi 4.0
HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.4 mi 6.4
TILLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.9 mi 5.3
FUTURE SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith 5.9 mi 6.6
WILLIAM O. DARBY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.0 mi 6.9

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
ANNE WATSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bigelow, AR 7.5
WESTBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Benton, AR 7.5
ARKANSAS ARTS ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Rogers, AR 7.4
BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR 7.4
BOBBY G LESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jacksonville, AR 7.6
BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fayetteville, AR 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rena Elementary School

What grades does Rena Elementary School serve?

Rena Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Rena Elementary School?

Rena Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 412 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rena Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Rena Elementary School is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rena Elementary School rank in AR?

Rena Elementary School ranks #271 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Rena Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rena Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Rena Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rena Elementary School has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Rena Elementary School a charter school?

No, Rena Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rena Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Rena Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rena Elementary School?

49.3% of students at Rena 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
412
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Crawford County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.3%

District

VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
5,809
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,315
District Rank
#3 of 11

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