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Van Buren High School

Q: Is Van Buren High School a good school?

Van Buren High School ranks 92 nd of 293 Arkansas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 10-12

92^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 293 Arkansas High Schools

Better than 69% of Arkansas high schools

Summary

Van Buren High School in Van Buren, AR, serves 1,232 students in grades 10-12 and is part of the Van Buren School District, which holds a solid 3-star rating and ranks in the 51st percentile statewide. This school stands out for its strong graduation rate of 94.3% (well above the state average of 90.1%) and its exceptional performance in English Language Arts and Reading, where 44.6% and 43.7% of students are proficient, respectively—outpacing both state and district averages. However, it faces a significant challenge in Geometry, with only 14.4% of students proficient, a rate far below the state average of 26.4% and less than half of the district average of 30.7%. This "Geometry paradox" is a key area of concern, especially since the school performs much better in Biology (38.2% proficiency) and other subjects.

Compared to nearby schools, Van Buren offers a stable, middle-ground option in a region with wide performance disparities. For instance, Southside High School in the Fort Smith School District is a top-tier school with a 5-star rating and strong test scores, while Northside High School struggles with a 2-star rating and lower proficiency rates. Van Buren consistently outperforms Northside in nearly every metric, including ELA (44.6% vs. 30.2%) and graduation rates (94.3% vs. 87.1%). Interestingly, Cedarville High School, just 8 miles away, has a much higher poverty rate (98.8%) but still achieves double Van Buren's Geometry proficiency (30.9%) and far superior Biology scores (62%), suggesting Van Buren's Geometry issue is not solely tied to economic factors.

Despite a rising rate of economic disadvantage—57.87% of students now receive free or reduced lunch, up from 47.88% three years ago—Van Buren has maintained its strong graduation rate and improved its dropout rate to just 0.4%, down from 4.3% in 2020-2021. This resilience highlights effective support systems, even as the school spends slightly below average at $12,386 per student. For parents, Van Buren High School is a reliable choice with notable strengths in literacy and graduation, but it requires attention to its Geometry curriculum to ensure students are fully prepared for college and careers.

1,232

Students ?

10.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,386

Per pupil spending ?

57.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2001 Pointer Trail
Van Buren, AR 72956

(479) 474-6821

District: Van Buren School District

Feeder schools for Van Buren High School:

Elementary:	Central Elementary School
	James R. Tate Elementary School
	King Elementary School
	Oliver Springs Elementary School
	More...
	Parkview Elementary School
	Rena Elementary School
Middle:	Butterfield Trail Middle School
	Northridge Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

60.9%

Hispanic:

24.9%

Two or more races:

7.1%

See top rated Arkansas high schools

Compare Van Buren High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 64th percentile in 2016 → 69th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 5 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Arkansas median (69th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Geometry scores 12 pts below the Arkansas average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school37%

District avg39%

Arkansas avg39%

92^nd of 293

Arkansas public high schools ?

Top 31%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From top 36% (2016) to top 31% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

123^rd of 251Van Buren School District among Arkansas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	62.6	92 of 293	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	66.4	66 of 291	77.3%	★★★★☆
2024	61.5	100 of 305	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.8	109 of 295	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.0	71 of 282	74.8%	★★★★☆
2021	72.3	53 of 290	81.7%	★★★★☆
2019	72.0	45 of 282	84.0%	★★★★☆
2018	71.3	48 of 263	81.7%	★★★★☆
2017	57.6	102 of 264	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2016	58.8	96 of 269	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2015	38.4	157 of 267	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2014	44.8	165 of 268	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2013	43.5	165 of 271	39.1%	★★☆☆☆
2012	48.3	141 of 266	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2011	49.7	137 of 266	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	42.3	161 of 262	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2009	60.8	69 of 261	73.6%	★★★★☆
2008	41.1	156 of 256	39.1%	★★☆☆☆
2007	42.2	145 of 258	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2006	30.9	169 of 232	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts45%+5 vs state

Reading44%+3 vs state

Biology38%-4 vs state

Geometry14%-12 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, March 2, 2010

This school offers much more to the students as far as athletics, art, clubs, etc. My nieces have both attended Van Buren and involved in Track, Soccer, JROTC, plays and fine arts, Band, Math Competitions, etc. They have been much more challenged and involved in their school. My children have attended Mountainburg and the only things really focused on in Mountainburg were basketball, track, and football. I wish Mountainburg had more to offer. If your focus is on your child succeeding to be more than just a high school graduate then Van Buren is the best choice. Close Quote

Schools Near Van Buren High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2026)			ATLAS Reading (2026)			ATLAS Algebra (2026)		ATLAS Geometry (2026)			ATLAS Biology (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 9th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 10th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 9th Grade	ATLAS Reading 10th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Algebra 9th Grade	ATLAS Algebra All Grades	ATLAS Geometry 9th Grade	ATLAS Geometry 10th Grade	ATLAS Geometry All Grades	ATLAS Biology 9th Grade	ATLAS Biology 10th Grade	ATLAS Biology 11th Grade	ATLAS Biology All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Van Buren High School	Public	10-12	2001 Pointer Trail	Van Buren	72956	Crawford County	Van Buren School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 474-6821	1,232	115	10.7	57.9%	750 (60.9%)	31 (2.5%)	307 (24.9%)	34 (2.8%)	19 (1.5%)	3 (0.2%)	88 (7.1%)	62.6	92^nd of 293 public high schools	68.6%		66.4	66^th of 291 public high schools	77.3%	26		44.6	44.6		43.7	43.7				14.2	14.4		38.4		38.2	$12,386	$536	$11,850
Western Arkansas Technical Center	Public	9-12	5210 Grand Ave	Fort Smith	72913	Sebastian County	Westark Technical Center	No	No	No	No	(479) 788-7720	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Institute For The Creative Arts School	Public, Charter	9-12	1101 Riverfront Drive	Fort Smith	72901	Sebastian County	Institute For The Creative Arts	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(479) 434-2114	49	13	3.7	34.7%	40 (81.6%)	1 (2.0%)	2 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (8.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (4.1%)	90.9	10^th of 293 public high schools	96.6%					(n/a)	63.7	65.2	64.5	59.1	69.5	64.4	40.0	37.5		17.6	27.3		75.1		81.9
Future School Of Fort Smith	Public, Charter	9-12	622 N 7th St	Fort Smith	72901	Sebastian County	Future School Of Fort Smith	Yes	No	No	Yes	(479) 431-8695	235	43	5.5	100.0%	128 (54.5%)	35 (14.9%)	41 (17.4%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (9.8%)	31.3	226^th of 293 public high schools	22.9%		27.3	233^rd of 291 public high schools	19.9%	7	14.3	31.6	25.4	19.0	31.6	27.1	0.0	0.0		8.8	8.3		40.7		40.5	$15,047	$2,893	$12,154
Alma High School	Public	9-12	101 East Main	Alma	72921	Crawford County	Alma School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 632-2162	981	120	8.1	41.9%	799 (81.4%)	15 (1.5%)	65 (6.6%)	11 (1.1%)	30 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	61 (6.2%)	80.7	25^th of 293 public high schools	91.5%		75.8	41^st of 291 public high schools	85.9%	16	46.7	46.9	46.7	47.9	47.3	47.6	40.1	40.1	91.7	28.5	40.2		50.6		50.2	$12,932	$738	$12,194
Northside High School	Public	9-12	2301 N B St	Fort Smith	72901	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 783-1171	2,231	199	11.2	77.4%	404 (18.1%)	316 (14.2%)	1,234 (55.3%)	100 (4.5%)	13 (0.6%)	4 (0.2%)	160 (7.2%)	39.5	194^th of 293 public high schools	33.8%		36.1	198^th of 291 public high schools	32.0%	4	29.1	31.3	30.2	30.4	31.7	31.0	21.6	22.1	42.7	13.0	20.5	75.0	37.0	14.3	44.5	$11,877	$1,501	$10,376
Premier High School Of Fort Smith	Public, Charter	9-12	3400 Rogers Ave Ste 126	Little Rock	72202	Sebastian County	Premier High Schools Of Arkansas	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(479) 366-9410	99	31	3.1	40.4%	54 (54.5%)	19 (19.2%)	22 (22.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.0%)	18.7	258^th of 293 public high schools	11.9%		18.5	258^th of 291 public high schools	11.3%		19.1	24.0	21.7	23.8	24.0	23.9					0.0				18.2
Belle Point Alternative Center	Public	6-12	1501 Dodson Ave	Fort Smith	72901	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 783-7034	39	9	4.1	92.3%	17 (43.6%)	9 (23.1%)	10 (25.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (7.7%)								(n/a)																$27,301	$1,478	$25,823
Southside High School	Public	9-12	4100 Gary St	Fort Smith	72903	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 646-7371	2,053	191	10.7	48.3%	1,077 (52.5%)	140 (6.8%)	462 (22.5%)	151 (7.4%)	21 (1.0%)	1 (0.0%)	201 (9.8%)	79.9	26^th of 293 public high schools	91.1%		63.4	77^th of 291 public high schools	73.5%	51	54.6	47.3	51.1	55.4	48.8	52.2	41.7	41.5	74.3	16.5	37.4	88.2	48.4	13.0	59.9	$12,816	$1,943	$10,873
Cedarville High School	Public	9-12	9500 Pirates Point	Cedarville	72932	Crawford County	Cedarville School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 474-7021	250	25	10.1	98.8%	203 (81.2%)	1 (0.4%)	15 (6.0%)	3 (1.2%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (10.4%)	72.2	47^th of 293 public high schools	84.0%		63.9	76^th of 291 public high schools	73.9%	29	37.8	36.9	37.4	42.2	45.6	44.0	38.4	38.4		27.7	30.9		62.0		62.0	$16,413	$1,538	$14,875

Frequently Asked Questions about Van Buren High School

What is the racial makeup of Van Buren High School?

Students at Van Buren High School are 61% White, 25% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 3% Asian, 3% African American, 2% American Indian.

What schools feed into Van Buren High School?

Van Buren High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Central Elementary School
Elementary : James R. Tate Elementary School
Elementary : King Elementary School
Elementary : Oliver Springs Elementary School
Elementary : Parkview Elementary School
Elementary : Rena Elementary School
Middle : Butterfield Trail Middle School
Middle : Northridge Middle School

What district is Van Buren High School in?

Van Buren School District

Is Van Buren High School a good school?

Van Buren High School ranks 92^nd of 293 Arkansas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Van Buren High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,232 students attended Van Buren High School.

Rate Van Buren High School!

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Schools in Van Buren, AR

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Latest Arkansas data All new data »

2025–26 ATLAS test scoresJul 13, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2019–20 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

2017–18 through 2024–25 dropout ratesJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.