Very Good
#74 of 542 schools in ME
Top 14% in state
Van Buren Elementary School
Elementary School · RSU 88/MSAD 24
169 Main Street St 101, Van Buren, ME 04785
Enrollment
206
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
206
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Van Buren
#1 of 2
public schools
Maine elementary schools
#49 of 337
In district
#1 of 2
RSU 88/MSAD 24
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Van Buren Elementary School
Van Buren Elementary School is a regular public school located in the rural town of Van Buren, Maine. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, this small community-focused institution has an enrollment of 206 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.4 out of 10, placing it in the 48th percentile among Maine schools.
Academically, Van Buren Elementary School has an overall score of 4.6/10 and shows that 70% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 57% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate areas for improvement but also highlight the school’s commitment to student development. Set against a backdrop of rural tranquility, Van Buren Elementary School is an integral part of its close-knit community, offering students a nurturing environment that values individual growth and learning.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Van Buren Elementary School 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Van Buren Elementary School — Students at Van Buren Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from ME state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.6/10.
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 improved from 17% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 87% (2022).
Location
169 Main Street St 101, Van Buren, ME 04785
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Buren Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dawn F Barnes Elementary Sch (rated 8.6/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Caswell), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Madawaska Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Madawaska), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Connor Consolidated School (rated 7.1/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Connor Twp), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Van Buren, see our Van Buren schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 33.0 miNeighborhood 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 Elementary School 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 |
|---|---|
| East Auburn Community School Auburn, ME | 7.7 |
| Lincolnville Central School Lincolnville, ME | 7.7 |
| Enfield Station Elementary School West Enfield, ME | 7.8 |
| Trenton Elementary School Trenton, ME | 7.8 |
| Academy Hill School Wilton, ME | 7.9 |
| Ash Point Community School Owls Head, ME | 7.9 |
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 Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Van Buren Elementary School?
Van Buren Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 206 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary School is 14.7:1. 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 School rank in ME?
Van Buren Elementary School is ranked #74 out of 542 schools in ME.
What is Van Buren Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Buren Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 57.0% math proficiency and 70.3% 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?
69.4% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 206
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Aroostook County
- Phone
- (207) 868-5274
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RSU 88/MSAD 24- District Enrollment
- 260
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,498
- District Rank
- #1 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 methodologyRelated reading
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