Needs Improvement
#2156 of 2,216 schools in MO
Van Buren Elem.
Elementary School · VAN BUREN R-I
PO BOX 550, Van Buren, MO 63965
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Van Buren
#2 of 2
public schools
Missouri elementary schools
#1,158 of 1,202
In district
#2 of 2
VAN BUREN R-I
About Van Buren Elem.
VAN BUREN ELEM. is a regular public elementary school in Van Buren, Missouri, located in the remote rural Carter County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 287 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at VAN BUREN ELEM., as measured by MySchoolScout, is rated at 2.9 out of 10, placing the school in the 4th percentile among Missouri’s schools and ranking it #2143 out of 2234.
In terms of proficiency rates, 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 45% meet these standards in Math. The school is focused on student development and growth within its unique rural setting. VAN BUREN ELEM. is deeply rooted in a community that values education and provides a supportive environment for young learners to thrive.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Van Buren Elem. 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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Van Buren Elem. — Students at Van Buren Elem. score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO 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: 1.6/10.
How Van Buren Elem. Compares
See how Van Buren Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 550, Van Buren, MO 63965
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Buren Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EAST CARTER CO. R-II ELEM. (rated 8.3/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Ellsinore), which scores notably higher. Another option is ELLINGTON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.1/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Ellington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CLEARWATER ELEMENTARY (rated 8.0/10, 20.9 miles away, in nearby Piedmont), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Van Buren, see our Van Buren schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 28.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| VAN BUREN HIGH Van Buren | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| ELLINGTON ELEMENTARY Ellington | 16.7 mi | 8.1 |
| ELLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL Ellington | 16.7 mi | 6.3 |
| EAST CARTER CO. R-II ELEM. Ellsinore | 15.5 mi | 8.3 |
| EAST CARTER CO. R-II HIGH Ellsinore | 15.5 mi | 7.0 |
| EAST CARTER CO. R-II MIDDLE Ellsinore | 15.5 mi | 8.3 |
| ABM MINISTRIES-LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Piedmont | 16.9 mi | — |
| WINONA HIGH Winona | 17.0 mi | 5.3 |
| WINONA ELEM. Winona | 17.1 mi | 7.9 |
| CLEARWATER ELEMENTARY Piedmont | 20.9 mi | 8.0 |
| VICTORY BAPTIST ACADEMY Piedmont | 21.9 mi | — |
| CLEARWATER HIGH Piedmont | 21.8 mi | 7.9 |
| CLEARWATER MIDDLE Piedmont | 21.8 mi | 5.9 |
| EMINENCE HIGH Eminence | 21.8 mi | 6.5 |
| EMINENCE ELEM. Eminence | 22.4 mi | 6.2 |
| RIPLEY CO. ELEM. Doniphan | 26.9 mi | 4.0 |
| RIPLEY CO. ELEM. Gatewood | 28.9 mi | 2.7 |
| CURRENT RIVER SCHOOL Doniphan | 28.0 mi | — |
| DONIPHAN HIGH Doniphan | 28.1 mi | 8.3 |
| DONIPHAN INTERMEDIATE Doniphan | 28.1 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 63965 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,068
Median Home Value
$118,800
Median Rent
$554/mo
Population
2,433
College Educated
11%
Homeownership
57.7%
Poverty Rate
30.9%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Van Buren Elem. has a median household income of $33,068. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,800, with a median rent of $554/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.9%, 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 |
|---|---|
| ADRIAN ELEM. Adrian, MO | 3.6 |
| LEXINGTON ELEM. St. Louis, MO | 3.6 |
| STURGEON ELEMENTARY Sturgeon, MO | 3.6 |
| ASH GROVE ELEM. Ash Grove, MO | 3.5 |
| COMBS ELEMENTARY Florissant, MO | 3.5 |
| EXETER ELEM. Exeter, MO | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Van Buren Elem.
What grades does Van Buren Elem. serve?
Van Buren Elem. serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Van Buren Elem.?
Van Buren Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 287 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elem.?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elem. is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Van Buren Elem. rank in MO?
Van Buren Elem. is ranked #2156 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Van Buren Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Van Buren Elem. has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Elem.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Buren Elem. has 45.3% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Van Buren Elem. a charter school?
No, Van Buren Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Van Buren Elem. a Title I school?
No, Van Buren Elem. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Buren Elem.?
66.9% of students at Van Buren Elem. 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
- City Safety
- Average (523/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Van Buren). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Carter County
- Phone
- (573) 323-4266
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
VAN BUREN R-I- District Enrollment
- 513
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,120
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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