Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0Van Buren’s public schools outscore 71% of Arkansas districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Van Buren, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arkansas, not nationally.
From Arkansas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Van Buren’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 44% and math 41% in spring 2022, against 40% and 38% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,711 per student, against $13,585 across Arkansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Joshua Academy (private) is in town. River Valley Virtual Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Van Buren’s grade
B+: better than 71% of Arkansas school districts, #48 of 123 Arkansas towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Arkansas average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Van Buren, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Van Buren · depends on your address
Northridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 713 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Butterfield Trail Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 557 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Van Buren · depends on your address
Northridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 713 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Butterfield Trail Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 557 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Van Buren · depends on your address
Northridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 713 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Butterfield Trail Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 557 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Van Buren
Van Buren Freshman Academy
Grades 9 · 468 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Van Buren
Van Buren High School
Grades 10–12 · 1,232 students · 11:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Van Buren
Van Buren High School
Grades 10–12 · 1,232 students · 11:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Van Buren
Van Buren High School
Grades 10–12 · 1,232 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Van Buren’s public schools are run by Van Buren School District, which also serves Kibler. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Van Buren vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arkansas towns that share Van Buren’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Van Buren | B+ | Van Buren |
| Fort Smith | B+ | Fort Smith PK–12 · Greenwood PK–12 |
Every school in Van Buren
11 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arkansas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Van Buren’s schools
Are Van Buren’s schools good?
By Arkansas’s own tests, yes: the public schools Van Buren children attend outscore 71% of Arkansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #48 of 123 Arkansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 72%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Van Buren in?
Van Buren School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,703 students in 11 schools (2024–25).
Where do Van Buren kids go to high school?
Van Buren High School, with 1,232 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Van Buren’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Van Buren School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Arkansas.
How much does Van Buren spend per student?
$11,711 in Van Buren School District (FY2024), against $13,585 across Arkansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Van Buren?
Yes: Joshua Academy (religious, grades K–5, 43 students).
Parents talk
What Van Buren families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Van Buren → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arkansas. Stars are from neighbors.