Skip to main content

Very Good

#361 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 35% 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

7.1

Grades

10th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#361 of 1,036

In Van Buren

#5 of 11

public schools

In district

#5 of 11

VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

7.9 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Van Buren High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Van Buren High School

7.1/10

High School in Van Buren · grades 10th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Van Buren Freshman Academy

5.9/10

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

Central Elementary School

5.1/10

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

About Van Buren High School

Van Buren High School is a public high school in Van Buren, AR, part of VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT. Van Buren High School serves approximately 1,228 students, and covers grades 10th-12th, and has a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Van Buren High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #361 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Van Buren High School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above AR schools
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • AR avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Van Buren High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.5% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.8% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg-5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.6 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected-14.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness8.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%
AP Participation29.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,315
Chronic Absenteeism27.8%

Van Buren High School — Students at Van Buren High School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

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 ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
13.5% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 51.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
34.2% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 31 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
60%
ELA
59%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
63%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
69%
2013
Math
71%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
28%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
25%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
43%
2025
Math
8.5%
ELA
42.8%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Van Buren High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
65th percentile in AR
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.5
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
121 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
29.9% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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. OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 5.9
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.2 mi 5.1
PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.1 mi 7.4
KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.3 mi 5.1
OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.4 mi 7.8
BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO Van Buren 1.5 mi 5.5
RIVER VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Van Buren 1.6 mi 5.1
NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Van Buren 1.8 mi 7.7
RENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 2.1 mi 7.5
SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.8 mi 5.1
HARRY C. MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.7 mi 4.1
SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.4 mi 3.8
JAMES R. TATE ELEM. SCHOOL Van Buren 4.0 mi 6.6
DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.7 mi 5.9
TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.6 mi 4.3
UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith 4.8 mi 7.8
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.3 mi 4.0
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.2 mi 3.9
EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.7 mi 6.8
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
GREENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Greenwood, AR 7.0
RUSSELLVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Russellville, AR 7.0
HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL Harrison, AR 7.3
HOT SPRINGS WORLD CLASS HIGH SCHOOL Hot Springs, AR 7.3
THE ACADEMIES OF WEST MEMPHIS CHARTER SCHOOL West Memphis, AR 7.3
LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL Hot Springs, AR 6.8

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 ranks #361 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Van Buren High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Buren High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Van Buren High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Van Buren High School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.8%
4-Year Graduation
90.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get 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.