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Very Good

#197 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 19% in state

Van Buren High School

High School · VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT

2001 POINTER TRAIL, Van Buren, AR 72956

Enrollment

1,228

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

7.6

Grades

10th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Van Buren

#3 of 11

public schools

Arkansas high schools

#45 of 277

In district

#3 of 11

VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Van Buren High School

Van Buren High School serves 1,228 students in grades 10-12 in this mid-size suburb of Crawford County, Arkansas. With 121 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. Academically, Van Buren High School ranks #480 out of 1,044 Arkansas high schools, placing it in the 54th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10.

The school shows room for academic growth, particularly in mathematics where 27% of students perform at proficient levels or above, while English Language Arts sees 43% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school draws from a diverse economic community where the median household income is $57,625 and median home values average $155,700. About 22% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 16.5% across the 34,805 residents in the surrounding ZIP code.

As a regular public high school focusing on grades 10-12, Van Buren High School serves as a key educational stepping stone for students in their final years before graduation. The school operates within Van Buren's established suburban community along Pointer Trail, providing educational services to families throughout this growing Arkansas region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation29.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,226

Van Buren High School — Students at Van Buren High School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.7%
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
34%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
43%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Van Buren High School Compares

See how Van Buren High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
81th percentile in AR
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
121 teachers

Location

2001 POINTER TRAIL, Van Buren, AR 72956

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Van Buren High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Van Buren, see our Van Buren schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.5 mi
School Distance Rating
VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY Van Buren 0.7 mi 6.4
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.2 mi 6.0
PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.1 mi 8.3
KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.3 mi 7.5
OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.4 mi 7.1
BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO Van Buren 1.5 mi 6.8
RIVER VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Van Buren 1.6 mi 3.3
NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Van Buren 1.8 mi 7.6
RENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 2.1 mi 6.5
SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.8 mi 6.1
HARRY C. MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.7 mi 6.6
SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.4 mi 3.0
JAMES R. TATE ELEM. SCHOOL Van Buren 4.0 mi 5.5
DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.7 mi 5.6
TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.6 mi 6.8
UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith 4.8 mi 7.8
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.3 mi 4.7
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.2 mi 2.4
EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.7 mi 8.4
TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.5 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 High 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
MARION HIGH SCHOOL Marion, AR 7.6
THE ACADEMIES AT JONESBORO HIGH SCHOOL Jonesboro, AR 7.6
PARAGOULD HIGH SCHOOL Paragould, AR 7.5
VILONIA HIGH SCHOOL Vilonia, AR 7.5
SEARCY HIGH SCHOOL Searcy, AR 7.7
PARKVIEW MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Van Buren High School

What grades does Van Buren High School serve?

Van Buren High School serves students in grades 10th through 12th.

How many students attend Van Buren High School?

Van Buren High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,228 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren High School is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Van Buren High School rank in AR?

Van Buren High School is ranked #197 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Van Buren High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Buren High School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Buren High School has 28.7% math proficiency and 44.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Van Buren High School a charter school?

No, Van Buren High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Van Buren High School a Title I school?

No, Van Buren High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Buren High School?

50.5% of students at Van Buren High 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,524/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Van Buren). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
1,228
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
121
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.5%
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
#3 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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