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Needs Improvement

#1014 of 1,035 schools in AR

River Valley Virtual Academy

School · VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT

60 NORTHRIDGE DRIVE, Van Buren, AR 72956

Charter Virtual

Enrollment

105

Student-Teacher

2.8:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Van Buren

#11 of 11

public schools

Arkansas schools

#43 of 44

In district

#11 of 11

VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About River Valley Virtual Academy

River Valley Virtual Academy is a charter school located in Van Buren, Arkansas. Serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, the school offers a unique learning environment with an enrollment of 105 students and a student-teacher ratio of 2.8:1. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student.

River Valley Virtual Academy has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks as the 1000th best school out of 1044 in Arkansas, placing it in the fourth percentile for state ranking. Academically, students perform at an average level with 45% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 31% proficient or above in Math. The school is situated in a mid-size suburb setting within Crawford County.

While academic performance shows room for improvement, River Valley Virtual Academy focuses on student development through its virtual learning approach. The community around the school provides a supportive environment for students to thrive.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 105 students, River Valley Virtual Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 2.8:1, River Valley Virtual Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

River Valley Virtual Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.1Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-12.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-17.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness2.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio2.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,226

River Valley Virtual Academy — Students at River Valley Virtual Academy score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
27%

* 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: 1.1/10.

How River Valley Virtual Academy Compares

See how River Valley Virtual Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
2th percentile in AR
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
1.1/10
Below average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
3:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

60 NORTHRIDGE DRIVE, Van Buren, AR 72956

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering River Valley Virtual Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CEDARVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Cedarville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Van Buren, see our Van Buren schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Van Buren 0.1 mi 7.6
OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 0.5 mi 7.1
RENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.0 mi 6.5
VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY Van Buren 1.2 mi 6.4
PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.8 mi 8.3
VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL Van Buren 1.6 mi 7.6
BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO Van Buren 2.6 mi 6.8
KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 2.7 mi 7.5
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 2.7 mi 6.0
HARRY C. MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.7 mi 6.6
SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.3 mi 6.1
TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.9 mi 6.8
SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.1 mi 3.0
DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.4 mi 5.6
UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith 5.4 mi 7.8
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.9 mi 4.7
JAMES R. TATE ELEM. SCHOOL Van Buren 5.6 mi 5.5
CEDARVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedarville 6.7 mi 7.7
HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.4 mi 3.0
CEDARVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Cedarville 6.9 mi 7.6

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 River Valley Virtual Academy 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
THE DELTA SCHOOL Wilson, AR 4.2
FORT SMITH VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fort Smith, AR

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about River Valley Virtual Academy

What grades does River Valley Virtual Academy serve?

River Valley Virtual Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend River Valley Virtual Academy?

River Valley Virtual Academy has an enrollment of approximately 105 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at River Valley Virtual Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at River Valley Virtual Academy is 2.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does River Valley Virtual Academy rank in AR?

River Valley Virtual Academy is ranked #1014 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is River Valley Virtual Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

River Valley Virtual Academy has a composite rating of 3.3 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 River Valley Virtual Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, River Valley Virtual Academy has 31.2% math proficiency and 44.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is River Valley Virtual Academy a charter school?

Yes, River Valley Virtual Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is River Valley Virtual Academy a Title I school?

No, River Valley Virtual Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River Valley Virtual Academy?

67.6% of students at River Valley Virtual Academy 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

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 – 12th
Enrollment
105
Student-Teacher Ratio
2.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Crawford County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

Read our full methodology

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