Needs Improvement
#1219 of 1,280 schools in IA
Van Buren Elementary School
Elementary School · Cedar Rapids Comm School District
2525 29th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cedar Rapids
#37 of 40
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#629 of 662
In district
#28 of 31
Cedar Rapids Comm School District
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Van Buren Elementary School
Van Buren Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 409 students and boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention from its team of 28 full-time equivalent teachers. According to MySchoolScout’s data, Van Buren Elementary ranks in the 11th percentile among Iowa schools with an overall rating of 3.2 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.6 out of 10.
The school's proficiency rates are 44% for ELA/reading, 50% for math, and 38% for science across all grades. While these numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development, Van Buren Elementary continues to work diligently to support its students' educational needs. The school is situated in a mid-size city setting within Linn County, providing a variety of community resources and experiences for its young learners.
Score Breakdown
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Van Buren Elementary School — Students at Van Buren Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.1/10.
How Van Buren Elementary School Compares
See how Van Buren Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
2525 29th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Buren Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Maple Grove Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LASALLE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Madison Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cedar Rapids, see our Cedar Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52404 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,304
Median Home Value
$159,700
Median Rent
$885/mo
Population
42,582
College Educated
22.5%
Homeownership
67.4%
Avg Commute
18.6 min
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Van Buren Elementary School has a median household income of $62,304. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $159,700, with a median rent of $885/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer, IA | 3.9 |
| James Wilson Grimes School Burlington, IA | 3.9 |
| McKinley Elementary School Muscatine, IA | 3.9 |
| Grant Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.0 |
| Hoover Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 4.0 |
| Northwood Pre-School Ames, IA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Van Buren Elementary School
What grades does Van Buren Elementary School serve?
Van Buren Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Van Buren Elementary School?
Van Buren Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 409 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary School is 14.6:1. 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 School rank in IA?
Van Buren Elementary School is ranked #1219 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Van Buren Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Buren Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.9 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Buren Elementary School has 50.4% math proficiency and 44.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Van Buren Elementary School a charter school?
No, Van Buren Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Van Buren Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Van Buren Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Buren Elementary School?
86.3% of students at Van Buren Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,957/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cedar Rapids). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 409
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Linn County
- Phone
- (319) 558-2377
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cedar Rapids Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 15,589
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,623
- District Rank
- #28 of 31
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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