Needs Improvement
#2204 of 2,216 schools in MO
Van Horn High
High School · INDEPENDENCE 30
1109 S ARLINGTON AVE, Independnce, MO 64053
Enrollment
1,113
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
2.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,113
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
2.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Missouri high schools
#532 of 532
In district
#27 of 28
INDEPENDENCE 30
About Van Horn High
Van Horn High School serves 1,113 students in grades 9-12 in Independence, Missouri's large suburban setting. With 61 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio, providing opportunities for meaningful student-teacher interactions. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for considerable growth in core subjects.
Currently, 27% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while 9% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. These results place Van Horn High among schools focusing intensively on student development and academic improvement initiatives. The school serves a diverse community where many families are working to build economic stability.
The surrounding 64053 ZIP code area reflects a neighborhood with a median household income of $42,101 and median home values around $73,300. About 10% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while approximately 32% of families face economic challenges. Van Horn High School operates within Jackson County's educational framework, providing comprehensive high school programming for students from this established Independence community.
The school's location on South Arlington Avenue places it at the heart of a suburban area where families are invested in their children's educational journey despite facing various socioeconomic challenges.
Score Breakdown
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Van Horn High — Students at Van Horn High score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.2%
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: 2.2/10.
How Van Horn High Compares
See how Van Horn High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 9% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
1109 S ARLINGTON AVE, Independnce, MO 64053
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Horn High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. THREE TRAILS ELEM. (rated 7.8/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Independence), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRAILWOODS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Kansas City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CENTER PLACE RESTORATION SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Independence), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Independnce, see our Independnce schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FAIRMOUNT ELEM. Independence | 1.1 mi | 3.8 |
| KORTE ELEM. Independence | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| KC INTERNATIONAL-WALLACE Kansas City | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| CLIFFORD H. NOWLIN MIDDLE Independence | 1.8 mi | 4.6 |
| SUGAR CREEK ELEM. Sugar Creek | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| CASSELL PARK ELEMENTARY Independence | 2.2 mi | 3.1 |
| PROCTER ELEM. Independence | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| ABRAHAM MALLINSON ELEMENTARY Sugar Creek | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| BRYANT ELEM. Independence | 2.0 mi | 3.9 |
| CENTER PLACE RESTORATION SCHOOL Independence | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| KIPP KC LEGACY HIGH SCHOOL Kansas City | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| THREE TRAILS ELEM. Independence | 2.6 mi | 7.8 |
| SANTA FE TRAIL ELEM. Independence | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| PITCHER ELEMENTARY Kansas City | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| ROGERS ELEMENTARY Kansas City | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| TRAILWOODS ELEMENTARY Kansas City | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| WILLIAM CHRISMAN HIGH Independence | 2.8 mi | 4.0 |
| OTT ELEM. Independence | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
| JAMES ELEMENTARY Kansas City | 3.0 mi | 4.6 |
| MILL CREEK ELEM. Independence | 3.2 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 64053 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,790
Median Home Value
$78,400
Median Rent
$929/mo
Population
6,817
College Educated
12.3%
Homeownership
51.7%
Poverty Rate
30.1%
Median Age
32.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Van Horn High has a median household income of $48,790. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $78,400, with a median rent of $929/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.1%, 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 |
|---|---|
| RAYTOWN SOUTH SR. HIGH Raytown, MO | 3.1 |
| PACIFIC HIGH Pacific, MO | 3.3 |
| HARRISONVILLE HIGH Harrisonville, MO | 3.5 |
| AFFTON HIGH St. Louis, MO | 3.7 |
| MARSHALL SR. HIGH Marshall, MO | 3.7 |
| HAZELWOOD EAST HIGH St. Louis, MO | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Van Horn High
What grades does Van Horn High serve?
Van Horn High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Van Horn High?
Van Horn High has an enrollment of approximately 1,113 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Horn High?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Horn High is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Van Horn High rank in MO?
Van Horn High is ranked #2204 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Van Horn High's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Horn High has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Horn High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Horn High has 16.3% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Van Horn High a charter school?
No, Van Horn High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Van Horn High a Title I school?
No, Van Horn High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Horn High?
79.2% of students at Van Horn 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 39 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 30 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 19 Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety
- Low (60/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,113
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Jackson County
- Phone
- (816) 521-5360
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
INDEPENDENCE 30- District Enrollment
- 14,168
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,302
- District Rank
- #27 of 28
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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