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Very Good

#115 of 542 schools in ME

Top 21% in state

Van Buren District Secondary Sch

High School · RSU 88/MSAD 24

169 Main Street Suite 102, Van Buren, ME 04785

Enrollment

54

Student-Teacher

6.8:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Van Buren

#2 of 2

public schools

Maine high schools

#25 of 112

In district

#2 of 2

RSU 88/MSAD 24

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Van Buren District Secondary Sch

Van Buren District Secondary School is a high school located in the remote rural area of Van Buren, Maine. With an enrollment of just 54 students and a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The school has eight full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with students as they navigate their final years before graduation.

Van Buren District Secondary School's academic performance is currently in the lower half compared to other schools in Maine, ranking at #408 out of 542 schools statewide. On standardized tests, 66% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 53% are proficient or above in math. While there is room for academic growth, the school remains committed to supporting each student's educational development.

The small town setting of Van Buren provides a close-knit community where students can participate in local activities and build strong relationships with their peers and teachers.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 54 students, Van Buren District Secondary Sch is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1, Van Buren District Secondary Sch offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Van Buren District Secondary Sch may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+15.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.6Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected-0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,468

Van Buren District Secondary Sch — Students at Van Buren District Secondary Sch score 75% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
75%

* 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 District Secondary Sch Compares

See how Van Buren District Secondary Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
79th percentile in ME
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

169 Main Street Suite 102, Van Buren, ME 04785

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Van Buren District Secondary Sch may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ME Sch of Science & Mathematics (rated 9.5/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Limestone), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wisdom Middle High School (rated 8.4/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Saint Agatha), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Madawaska Middle/High School (rated 7.7/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Madawaska), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Van Buren, see our Van Buren schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 33.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Van Buren Elementary School Van Buren 0.0 mi 7.7
Connor Consolidated School Connor Twp 13.7 mi 7.1
Dawn F Barnes Elementary Sch Caswell 13.8 mi 8.6
ME Sch of Science & Mathematics Limestone 18.3 mi 9.5
Limestone Community School Limestone 18.3 mi 3.1
Caribou Community School Caribou 20.8 mi 3.5
Caribou High School Caribou 21.0 mi 6.6
Woodland Consolidated Sch Woodland 21.2 mi 6.4
Dr Levesque Elementary School Saint Agatha 18.4 mi 5.8
Wisdom Middle High School Saint Agatha 18.4 mi 8.4
Fort Fairfield Middle/High School Fort Fairfield 27.6 mi 6.6
Fort Fairfield Elementary School Fort Fairfield 27.8 mi 5.8
Washburn District High School Washburn 27.4 mi 5.1
Washburn District Elem School Washburn 27.5 mi 4.5
Madawaska Middle/High School Madawaska 22.4 mi 7.7
Madawaska Elementary School Madawaska 22.4 mi 7.4
Presque Isle Middle School Presque Isle 32.1 mi 7.5
OPPORTUNITY TRAINING CENTER Presque Isle 32.8 mi 4.6
Eva Hoyt Zippel School Presque Isle 32.9 mi 5.8
Presque Isle High School Presque Isle 33.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04785 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$38,542

Median Home Value

$94,300

Median Rent

$596/mo

Population

2,018

College Educated

10.3%

Homeownership

68.1%

Poverty Rate

22.9%

Median Age

55.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Van Buren District Secondary Sch has a median household income of $38,542. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,300, with a median rent of $596/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
MAINE COAST SEMESTER AT CHEWONKI Wiscasset, ME 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Van Buren District Secondary Sch

What grades does Van Buren District Secondary Sch serve?

Van Buren District Secondary Sch serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Van Buren District Secondary Sch?

Van Buren District Secondary Sch has an enrollment of approximately 54 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren District Secondary Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren District Secondary Sch is 6.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Van Buren District Secondary Sch rank in ME?

Van Buren District Secondary Sch is ranked #115 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Van Buren District Secondary Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Buren District Secondary Sch has a composite rating of 7.3 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 District Secondary Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Buren District Secondary Sch has 53.3% math proficiency and 66.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Van Buren District Secondary Sch a charter school?

No, Van Buren District Secondary Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Van Buren District Secondary Sch a Title I school?

No, Van Buren District Secondary Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Buren District Secondary Sch?

66.7% of students at Van Buren District Secondary Sch 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
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (132/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
54
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Aroostook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RSU 88/MSAD 24
District Enrollment
260
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,498
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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