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Average

#985 of 2,221 schools in MO

Top 44% in state

Van Buren High

High School · VAN BUREN R-I

PO BOX 550, Van Buren, MO 63965

Enrollment

226

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

6.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#985 of 2,221

In Van Buren

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

VAN BUREN R-I

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Van Buren High

6.7/10

High School in Van Buren · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Van Buren Elem.

8.1/10

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

Ellington Elementary

6.6/10

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

About Van Buren High

Van Buren High is a public high school in Van Buren, MO, part of VAN BUREN R-I. Van Buren High serves approximately 226 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Van Buren High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #985 of 2,221 schools in MO.

Structured state assessment records for Van Buren High show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with MO schools
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • MO avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Van Buren High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.53 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.8% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.1% (2024 MAP)
Math vs. State Avg-4.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness9.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,120
Chronic Absenteeism28.8%

Van Buren High — Students at Van Buren High score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.1% (2025 MAP)
ELA Proficiency 49.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.1% (2024 MAP)

Based on 30 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2024
ELA
35.1%
2025
Math
42.8%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Van Buren High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in MO
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
5.4/10
Average
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Sports
6
3 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.8%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics6sports offered
3 boys'·3 girls'·6 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 550, Van Buren, MO 63965

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Van Buren High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EMINENCE HIGH (rated 7.7/10, 21.7 miles away, in nearby Eminence), which scores slightly higher. Another option is EAST CARTER CO. R-II HIGH (rated 7.5/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Ellsinore), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CLEARWATER HIGH (rated 7.3/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Piedmont), which scores slightly 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 ELEM. Van Buren 0.1 mi 8.1
ELLINGTON ELEMENTARY Ellington 16.7 mi 6.6
ELLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL Ellington 16.7 mi 6.5
EAST CARTER CO. R-II ELEM. Ellsinore 15.6 mi 4.4
EAST CARTER CO. R-II HIGH Ellsinore 15.6 mi 7.5
EAST CARTER CO. R-II MIDDLE Ellsinore 15.6 mi 5.1
ABM MINISTRIES-LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Piedmont 17.0 mi
WINONA HIGH Winona 16.9 mi 6.4
WINONA ELEM. Winona 17.0 mi 7.4
CLEARWATER ELEMENTARY Piedmont 20.9 mi 4.9
VICTORY BAPTIST ACADEMY Piedmont 21.9 mi
CLEARWATER HIGH Piedmont 21.9 mi 7.3
CLEARWATER MIDDLE Piedmont 21.9 mi 3.9
EMINENCE HIGH Eminence 21.7 mi 7.7
EMINENCE ELEM. Eminence 22.4 mi 7.9
RIPLEY CO. ELEM. Doniphan 26.8 mi 5.2
RIPLEY CO. ELEM. Gatewood 28.9 mi 5.3
CURRENT RIVER SCHOOL Doniphan 28.0 mi
DONIPHAN HIGH Doniphan 28.1 mi 6.8
DONIPHAN INTERMEDIATE Doniphan 28.1 mi 8.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BROOKFIELD HIGH Brookfield, MO 6.7
DIAMOND HIGH Diamond, MO 6.7
GAINESVILLE HIGH Gainesville, MO 6.7
PLATO HIGH Plato, MO 6.7
RICHLAND HIGH Richland, MO 6.7
THOMAS W. KELLY HIGH Benton, MO 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Van Buren High

What grades does Van Buren High serve?

Van Buren High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Van Buren High?

Van Buren High has an enrollment of approximately 226 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren High?

The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren High is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Van Buren High rank in MO?

Van Buren High ranks #985 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is Van Buren High's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Buren High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Van Buren High has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Van Buren High a charter school?

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

Is Van Buren High a Title I school?

No, Van Buren High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Buren High?

58.8% of students at Van Buren High 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
226
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Carter County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.8%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

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

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