Excellent
#147 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 7% in state
Van Buren Elementary
Elementary School · Janesville School District
1515 Lapham St, Janesville, WI 53546
Enrollment
405
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
405
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Janesville
#3 of 23
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#101 of 1,099
In district
#3 of 21
Janesville School District
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Van Buren Elementary
Van Buren Elementary is a public elementary school in Janesville, WI, part of the Janesville School District. The school serves approximately 405 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 93.1th percentile among WI schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 55% proficiency in math, 2 points above the state average and 54% in reading/language arts, 4 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $73,430, where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Van Buren Elementary — Students at Van Buren Elementary score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from WI 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: 9.5/10.
How Van Buren Elementary Compares
See how Van Buren Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
1515 Lapham St, Janesville, WI 53546
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Buren Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Washington Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Jackson Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Janesville, see our Janesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Edison Middle Janesville | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Lincoln Elementary Janesville | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Wilson Elementary Janesville | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| ST WILLIAM CATHOLIC SCHOOL Janesville | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Preschool 4 Janesville Janesville | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Madison Elementary Janesville | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Rock River Charter School Janesville | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Franklin Middle Janesville | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| ARISE Virtual Academy Janesville | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Jackson Elementary Janesville | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Janesville | 1.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Washington Elementary Janesville | 2.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Parker High Janesville | 2.0 mi | 4.4 |
| ST JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL Janesville | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Janesville | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Janesville | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| ST MATTHEWS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Janesville | 2.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Adams Elementary Janesville | 2.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Craig High Janesville | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary Janesville | 3.4 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53546 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,430
Median Home Value
$220,100
Median Rent
$1,076/mo
Population
29,482
College Educated
25.7%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
21.6 min
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Van Buren Elementary has a median household income of $73,430. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,100, with a median rent of $1,076/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cadott Elementary Cadott, WI | 8.2 |
| Iola-Scandinavia Elementary Iola, WI | 8.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary Stevens Point, WI | 8.2 |
| Manz Elementary Eau Claire, WI | 8.2 |
| Meadow View Elementary Oconomowoc, WI | 8.2 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary Waukesha, WI | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Van Buren Elementary
What grades does Van Buren Elementary serve?
Van Buren Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Van Buren Elementary?
Van Buren Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 405 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary is 13.5:1. 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 rank in WI?
Van Buren Elementary is ranked #147 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Van Buren Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Buren Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Buren Elementary has 55.3% math proficiency and 54.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Van Buren Elementary a charter school?
No, Van Buren Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Van Buren Elementary a Title I school?
No, Van Buren Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Buren Elementary?
50.4% of students at Van Buren Elementary 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
- 29 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 26 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 34 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,991/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Janesville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 405
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Rock County
- Phone
- (608) 743-7100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Janesville School District- District Enrollment
- 9,414
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,990
- District Rank
- #3 of 21
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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