Average
#510 of 1,035 schools in AR
Top 49% in state
Van Buren Freshman Academy
School · VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT
821 POINTER TRAIL, Van Buren, AR 72956
Enrollment
470
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 9th
Enrollment
470
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 9th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Van Buren
#8 of 11
public schools
In district
#8 of 11
VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Van Buren Freshman Academy
VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY is a regular public school located in the mid-size suburb of Van Buren, Arkansas. The school serves ninth-grade students exclusively, providing a focused and supportive educational environment for its 470 young scholars. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, teachers are well-equipped to provide individual attention and support to each student.
VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY has 35 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to guide students through their freshman year. The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 4.8 out of 10, reflecting room for academic growth in areas like ELA/Reading and Math, where only 43% and 29% of students respectively meet or exceed proficiency standards. Despite the challenges highlighted by its state ranking (#678 out of 1044 schools), VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY is committed to fostering a nurturing community that supports student development.
The school's setting in Van Buren, with its mid-size suburban character, offers students access to both small-town charm and urban amenities nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Van Buren Freshman Academy — Students at Van Buren Freshman Academy score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.3%
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: 5.6/10.
How Van Buren Freshman Academy Compares
See how Van Buren Freshman Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 41% (2022).
Location
821 POINTER TRAIL, Van Buren, AR 72956
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Buren Freshman Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Van Buren, see our Van Buren schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 0.7 mi | 8.3 |
| VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL Van Buren | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| RIVER VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Van Buren | 1.2 mi | 3.3 |
| BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO Van Buren | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Van Buren | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| RENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| HARRY C. MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.1 mi | 6.6 |
| SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
| SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.1 mi | 3.0 |
| TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.1 mi | 6.8 |
| DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.4 mi | 5.6 |
| UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith | 4.5 mi | 7.8 |
| SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 5.0 mi | 4.7 |
| JAMES R. TATE ELEM. SCHOOL Van Buren | 4.6 mi | 5.5 |
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 6.0 mi | 2.4 |
| HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 5.7 mi | 3.0 |
| TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 6.3 mi | 6.7 |
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 Van Buren Freshman 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Van Buren Freshman Academy
What grades does Van Buren Freshman Academy serve?
Van Buren Freshman Academy serves students in grades 9th through 9th.
How many students attend Van Buren Freshman Academy?
Van Buren Freshman Academy has an enrollment of approximately 470 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Freshman Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Freshman Academy is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Van Buren Freshman Academy rank in AR?
Van Buren Freshman Academy is ranked #510 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Van Buren Freshman Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Buren Freshman Academy has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Van Buren Freshman Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Buren Freshman Academy has 29.3% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Van Buren Freshman Academy a charter school?
No, Van Buren Freshman Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Van Buren Freshman Academy a Title I school?
No, Van Buren Freshman Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Buren Freshman Academy?
62.3% of students at Van Buren Freshman 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.
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
- 9th – 9th
- Enrollment
- 470
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Crawford County
- Phone
- (479) 471-3160
- 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
- #8 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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.