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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.8%
Math vs. State Avg+15.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,001

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 60.5%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 62.4%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
59%
ELA
61%
2024
Math
60.8%
ELA
62.7%

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.

Overall Score
8.0/10
85th percentile in CA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,839/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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