Excellent
#1402 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 15% in state
Van Buren Elementary
Elementary School · Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified
1301 East Orangethorpe Ave., Placentia, CA 92870
Enrollment
567
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
567
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Placentia
#8 of 30
public schools
California elementary schools
#997 of 5,817
In district
#9 of 34
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified
Equity
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Van Buren Elementary
Van Buren Elementary serves 567 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Placentia, California. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.7 to 1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a solid educational foundation in Orange County. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #1395 out of 9566 California elementary schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide.
Students show impressive proficiency rates with 63% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and 61% in mathematics across all grade levels. The school's academic score of 8.6 out of 10 reflects this consistent achievement. Van Buren Elementary draws families from the 92870 zip code area, where the median household income reaches $106,298 and 42% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 8.6%, with median home values around $835,300, indicating a stable, economically diverse community of approximately 53,150 residents. Located on East Orangethorpe Avenue, Van Buren Elementary operates within Placentia's large suburban setting, serving families in an established Orange County community that values educational excellence.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary is 22.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Van Buren Elementary — Students at Van Buren Elementary score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.
How Van Buren Elementary Compares
See how Van Buren Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 61.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 61% (2019) to 62.82% (2024).
Location
1301 East Orangethorpe Ave., Placentia, CA 92870
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Buren Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mabel M. Paine Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lakeview Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Yorba Linda), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Golden Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Placentia, see our Placentia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Star Homeschool Academy Placentia | 0.3 mi | — |
| Buena Vista Virtual Academy Yorba Linda | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Yorba Linda Middle Placentia | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Rose Drive Elementary Placentia | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| El Camino Real Continuation High Placentia | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| PINE TREE PRESCHOOL MONTESSORI Yorba Linda | 1.2 mi | — |
| FRIENDS CHRISTIAN Yorba Linda | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Heritage Oak Private Education Yorba Linda | 1.2 mi | — |
| HERITAGE OAK PRIVATE EDUCATION Yorba Linda | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| FRIENDS CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Yorba Linda | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Discovery Depot Child Care Center Yorba Linda | 1.3 mi | — |
| DISCOVERY DEPOT Yorba Linda | 1.3 mi | — |
| Charles Wagner Elementary Placentia | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Lakeview Elementary Yorba Linda | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Mabel M. Paine Elementary Placentia | 1.3 mi | 8.5 |
| El Dorado High Placentia | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Glenview Elementary Placentia | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Golden Elementary Placentia | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Morse Elementary Placentia | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| John O. Tynes Elementary Placentia | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92870 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$110,575
Median Home Value
$871,000
Median Rent
$2,267/mo
Population
52,384
College Educated
43.7%
Homeownership
63.3%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
38
Community Profile
The community surrounding Van Buren Elementary has a median household income of $110,575. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $871,000, with a median rent of $2,267/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Adobe Bluffs Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.0 |
| Akers Elementary Lemoore, CA | 8.0 |
| Betty Plasencia Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.0 |
| Birdielee V. Bright Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.0 |
| Brookhaven Elementary Placentia, CA | 8.0 |
| Capistrano Avenue Elementary West Hills, CA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Van Buren Elementary
What grades does Van Buren Elementary serve?
Van Buren Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Van Buren Elementary?
Van Buren Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 567 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Van Buren Elementary rank in CA?
Van Buren Elementary is ranked #1402 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Van Buren Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Buren Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Buren Elementary has 60.5% math proficiency and 62.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Van Buren Elementary a charter school?
No, Van Buren Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Van Buren Elementary a Title I school?
No, Van Buren Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Buren Elementary?
40.4% of students at Van Buren Elementary 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 567
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (714) 986-7100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,705
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,626
- District Rank
- #9 of 34
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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