Skip to main content

Very Good

#399 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 22% in state

Van Buren Elementary School

Elementary School · Plainfield Community School Corp

225 S Shaw St, Plainfield, IN 46168

Enrollment

500

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#399 of 1,823

In Plainfield

#3 of 8

public schools

In district

#3 of 8

Plainfield Community School Corp

Equity

9.3 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Van Buren Elementary 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 Elementary School

7.8/10

Elementary School in Plainfield · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Central Elementary School

8.1/10

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

Plainfield Community Middle School

7.5/10

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

About Van Buren Elementary School

Van Buren Elementary School is a public elementary school in Plainfield, IN, part of Plainfield Community School Corp. Van Buren Elementary School serves approximately 500 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Van Buren Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #399 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Van Buren Elementary School show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.7
  • IN avg 6.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.3% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.2% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg+15.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16 pts
Overall Proficiency62% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,973
Chronic Absenteeism13%

Van Buren Elementary School — Students at Van Buren Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 76.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 37 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
95%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
97%
ELA
93%
2014
Math
89%
ELA
85%
2015
Math
83%
ELA
83%
2016
Math
85%
ELA
88%
2017
Math
88%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
83%
ELA
74%
2019
Math
83%
ELA
74%
2020*
Math
71%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
68%
2025
Math
67%
ELA
56%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Van Buren Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
78th percentile in IN
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.0%

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

225 S Shaw St, Plainfield, IN 46168

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Van Buren Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hickory Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Avon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cedar Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Avon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Guilford Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Plainfield, see our Plainfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Elementary School Plainfield 0.2 mi 8.1
Plainfield Community Middle School Plainfield 0.5 mi 7.5
Pride Academy Plainfield 0.5 mi
ST SUSANNA SCHOOL Plainfield 0.7 mi 7.7
Brentwood Elementary School Plainfield 0.9 mi 7.5
Clarks Creek Elementary Plainfield 1.0 mi 6.2
Little Quakers Academy Plainfield 1.0 mi 3.2
Plainfield High School Plainfield 1.7 mi 7.3
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL OF PLAINFIELD Plainfield 1.8 mi 7.3
Avon High School Avon 2.5 mi 8.4
Guilford Elementary Plainfield 2.8 mi 8.9
Hickory Elementary School Avon 3.2 mi 9.0
Pine Tree Elementary School Avon 3.3 mi 8.8
Cedar Elementary School Avon 3.4 mi 9.0
Maple Elementary School Avon 4.0 mi 8.5
Avon Intermediate School West Avon 3.9 mi 8.3
White Oak Early Learning Center Avon 4.0 mi 4.8
Avon Intermediate School East Avon 4.0 mi 8.3
Avon Middle School South Avon 4.0 mi 8.3
KINGSWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Avon 5.1 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46168 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,315

Median Home Value

$271,400

Median Rent

$1,307/mo

Population

38,889

College Educated

36.6%

Homeownership

68.2%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

37.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clinton Central Elementary School Michigantown, IN 7.8
Haubstadt Community School Haubstadt, IN 7.8
James H Watson Elementary School Schererville, IN 7.8
Kankakee Valley Intermediate Sch Wheatfield, IN 7.8
Madison Elementary School Warsaw, IN 7.8
McCormick's Creek Elementary Sch Spencer, IN 7.8

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 500 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary School is 17.2:1. 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 IN?

Van Buren Elementary School ranks #399 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Van Buren Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Buren Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Van Buren Elementary School has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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?

37.2% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hendricks County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.0%

District

Plainfield Community School Corp
District Enrollment
5,834
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,973
District Rank
#3 of 8

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

Related reading

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.