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Very Good

#2586 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 27% 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

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#2,586 of 9,539

In Placentia

#11 of 30

public schools

In district

#15 of 34

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

Equity

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Van Buren Elementary

7.5/10

Elementary School in Placentia · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Star Homeschool Academy

Nearby

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

Buena Vista Virtual Academy

8.7/10

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

About Van Buren Elementary

Van Buren Elementary is a public elementary school in Placentia, CA, part of Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified. Van Buren Elementary serves approximately 567 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 22.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Van Buren Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,586 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Van Buren Elementary show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.8
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Van Buren Elementary runs 22.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+15.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20 pts
Overall Proficiency62% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,626
Chronic Absenteeism17.6%

Van Buren Elementary — Students at Van Buren Elementary score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 64.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
74%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
55%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
53%
ELA
60%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
65%
2018
Math
59%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
59%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
55.1%
ELA
60.6%
2024
Math
60.8%
ELA
62.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.

How Van Buren Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in CA
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.6%

Programs & Offerings

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

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. Golden Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Mabel M. Paine Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lakeview Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Yorba Linda), 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 8.7
Yorba Linda Middle Placentia 0.6 mi 8.2
Rose Drive Elementary Placentia 0.7 mi 7.5
El Camino Real Continuation High Placentia 1.1 mi 6.7
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 5.7
Lakeview Elementary Yorba Linda 1.4 mi 7.7
Mabel M. Paine Elementary Placentia 1.3 mi 7.9
El Dorado High Placentia 1.4 mi 7.2
Glenview Elementary Placentia 1.6 mi 5.5
Golden Elementary Placentia 1.7 mi 8.3
Morse Elementary Placentia 1.5 mi 7.2
John O. Tynes Elementary Placentia 1.6 mi 4.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alpine Vista Tulare, CA 7.5
Antelope Creek Elementary Rocklin, CA 7.5
Bixby Elementary Long Beach, CA 7.5
Blanche Sprentz Elementary Folsom, CA 7.5
Brandon Elementary Goleta, CA 7.5
Brooklyn Avenue Los Angeles, CA 7.5

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 ranks #2,586 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Van Buren Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Buren Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Van Buren Elementary has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.6%

District

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified
District Enrollment
22,705
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,626
District Rank
#15 of 34

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