Van Buren School District

2221 Pointer Trail E
Van Buren, AR 72956
(District boundaries shown in map)
8/
10
Top 30%

Top Rankings

Van Buren School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arkansas for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 5,809 students in Van Buren School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Arkansas.
Public Schools in Van Buren School District have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arkansas public school average of 42% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (AR)
# Schools
11 Schools
1,110 Schools
# Students
5,809 Students
485,111 Students
# Teachers
428 Teachers
38,779 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

District Rank

Van Buren School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 258 school districts in Arkansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 90% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School District
State Average (AR)
#73 out of 259 school districts
(Top 30%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Van Buren   School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
41%
38%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Van Buren   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
44%
40%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Van Buren   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
37%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Van Buren   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
90%
88%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Van Buren   School District and public school graduation rate of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.54
0.61
# American Indian Students
73 Students
2,795 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
n/a
# Asian Students
119 Students
8,854 Students
% Asian Students
2%
2%
# Hispanic Students
1,210 Students
71,016 Students
% Hispanic Students
21%
15%
# Black Students
132 Students
94,274 Students
% Black Students
2%
19%
# White Students
3,721 Students
280,739 Students
% White Students
64%
58%
# Hawaiian Students
12 Students
4,966 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
542 Students
22,677 Students
% of Two or more races Students
10%
5%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
100
10,102
# Students in K Grade:
443
34,850
# Students in 1st Grade:
435
35,859
# Students in 2nd Grade:
419
37,037
# Students in 3rd Grade:
436
35,957
# Students in 4th Grade:
438
35,919
# Students in 5th Grade:
455
35,951
# Students in 6th Grade:
414
36,175
# Students in 7th Grade:
433
36,641
# Students in 8th Grade:
474
37,270
# Students in 9th Grade:
471
39,879
# Students in 10th Grade:
453
39,369
# Students in 11th Grade:
418
37,430
# Students in 12th Grade:
413
32,498
# Ungraded Students:
7
174

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,140 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,132. The school district revenue/student has declined by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,842 is less than the state median of $13,043. The school district spending/student has declined by 5% over four school years.
This School District
This State (AR)
Total Revenue
$71 MM
$6,371 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Van Buren   School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$69 MM
$6,327 MM
This chart displays total spending of Van Buren   School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$12,140
$13,132
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Van Buren   School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$11,842
$13,043
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Van Buren   School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Van Buren School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Parkview Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
605 Parkview St
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 474-8730
Grades: K-5
| 436 students
Rank: #22.
Northridge Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
120 Northridge Dr
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 471-3126
Grades: 6-8
| 739 students
Rank: #33.
Rena Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
720 Rena Rd
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 471-3190
Grades: K-5
| 412 students
Rank: #44.
Oliver Springs Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
505 Northridge Drive East
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 471-3120
Grades: K-5
| 463 students
Rank: #55.
King Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 N 19th St
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 474-2661
Grades: PK-5
| 443 students
Rank: #66.
Butterfield Trail Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
310 N 11th St
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 474-6838
Grades: 6-8
| 558 students
Rank: #77.
Van Buren High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2001 Pointer Trail
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 474-6821
Grades: 10-12
| 1,228 students
Rank: #88.
Van Buren Freshman Academy
(Math: 22% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
821 Pointer Trail
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 471-3160
Grades: 9
| 470 students
Rank: #99.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
501 N 24th St
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 474-3150
Grades: K-5
| 489 students
Rank: #1010.
James R. Tate Elem. School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
406 Catcher Rd
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 471-3130
Grades: PK-5
| 466 students
Rank: #1111.
River Valley Virtual Academy
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
60 Northridge Drive
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 471-3165
Grades: K-12
| 105 students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Van Buren School District?
Van Buren School District manages 11 public schools serving 5,809 students.
What is the rank of Van Buren School District?
Van Buren School District is ranked #75 out of 258 school districts in Arkansas (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Arkansas school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Van Buren School District?
64% of Van Buren School District students are White, 21% of students are Hispanic, 10% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Asian, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Van Buren School District?
Van Buren School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 13:1.
What is Van Buren School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $11,842 is less than the state median of $13,043. The school district spending/student has declined by 5% over four school years.

Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 11 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 5,809 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 36%
  • : 90% (Btm 50% in AR)
  • : Top 30%
  • : 41% (Top 50%)
  • : 44% (Top 30%)
  • : 37% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

Quick Links