Central Elementary School

Summary:

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Van Buren, Arkansas, serving 479 students in grades K-5. It is part of the Van Buren School District, which is ranked 103 out of 252 school districts in the state.

While Central Elementary has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, the school consistently underperforms compared to the district and state averages in standardized test scores across all subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 23.1% of Central Elementary students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 33.7% for the district and 33.8% for the state. The school's performance in Mathematics is slightly better, with 31.5% of students proficient or better, but still below the district (38.6%) and state (36.4%) averages. Additionally, Central Elementary has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 66.33% to 74.53% in recent years, indicating a higher concentration of economically disadvantaged students.

Interestingly, the nearby Rena Elementary School and Parkview Elementary School consistently outperform Central Elementary in academic achievement, with higher proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and other subjects. These schools also have lower percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a more socioeconomically diverse student population. While Central Elementary's low student-teacher ratio could be a positive factor, it does not appear to be translating into higher academic achievement compared to the nearby schools. To address these challenges, the school may need to closely examine its instructional practices, curriculum, and support systems, as well as collaborate with higher-performing schools and the district to improve educational outcomes for its students.


Detail:

Public K-5

 501 N 24th St
       Van Buren, AR  72956


(479) 474-3150

District: Van Buren School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
365th of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,225 Help


Students who attend Central Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Van Buren High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.7 Help
Number of students:  479

Racial breakdown:

White:
63.9%
Hispanic:
16.5%
Two or more races:
13.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  74.5% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Central Elementary School ranks worse than 73.4% of elementary schools in Arkansas. It also ranks 4th among 5 ranked elementary schools in the Van Buren School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 32.16. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Central Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Van Buren School District. Student population at Central Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (63.9%), Hispanic (16.5%), two or more races (13.2%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 74.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 17.7. 2 elementary schools in the Van Buren School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Central Elementary School employs 26.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central Elementary School is $9,225, which is the 2nd highest among 5 elementary schools in the Van Buren School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Central Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Van Buren School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Van Buren School District 103rd of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 70.98 102nd 411 75.2%
2006 59.28 187th 402 53.5%
2007 50.79 253rd 440 42.5%
2008 41.27 307th 439 30.1%
2009 20.98 385th 445 13.5%
2010 42.08 319th 457 30.2%
2011 37.17 349th 471 25.9%
2012 37.62 358th 468 23.5%
2013 51.24 281st 476 41.0%
2014 28.91 388th 471 17.6%
2015 37.73 305th 466 34.5%
2016 46.33 291st 494 41.1%
2017 52.21 236th 485 51.3%
2018 35.31 344th 480 28.3%
2019 25.05 391st 488 19.9%
2021 39.98 323rd 496 34.9%
2022 45.39 295th 487 39.4%
2023 38.98 336th 492 31.7%
2024 32.16 365th 497 26.6%
See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Central Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Enrollment information for Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 444 9 47 3 4 n/a n/a 0 507
1989 419 4 27 4 4 n/a n/a 0 458
1990 435 8 25 3 4 n/a n/a 0 475
1991 416 2 15 7 1 n/a n/a 0 441
1992 399 14 24 9 5 n/a n/a 0 451
1993 395 9 22 12 5 n/a n/a 0 443
1994 413 6 19 12 3 n/a n/a 0 453
1995 362 12 15 34 6 n/a n/a 0 429
1996 362 12 15 34 6 n/a n/a 0 429
1997 401 13 20 51 4 n/a n/a 0 489
1998 302 6 16 50 4 n/a n/a 0 378
1999 308 9 20 54 7 n/a n/a 0 398
2000 245 11 12 61 6 n/a n/a 0 335
2001 259 10 16 57 7 n/a n/a 0 349
2002 223 9 19 87 9 n/a n/a 0 347
2003 223 9 19 87 9 n/a n/a 0 347
2004 209 8 17 106 15 n/a n/a 0 355
2005 212 12 15 114 11 n/a n/a 0 364
2006 248 12 13 106 11 n/a n/a 0 390
2007 227 13 19 121 9 n/a n/a 0 389
2008 228 13 14 124 3 n/a n/a 0 382
2009 214 17 14 128 4 n/a n/a 0 377
2010 198 10 10 135 1 0 18 0 372
2011 186 11 8 147 2 0 27 0 381
2012 167 11 7 135 3 0 17 0 340
2013 260 7 5 87 6 0 19 0 384
2014 265 8 5 82 7 0 26 0 393
2015 300 10 4 84 12 0 20 0 430
2016 304 7 5 102 8 0 19 0 445
2017 353 8 5 100 13 0 28 0 507
2018 375 11 5 99 9 0 28 0 527
2019 372 10 4 97 11 0 34 0 528
2020 371 19 4 90 8 1 37 0 530
2021 268 16 4 61 6 1 39 0 395
2022 296 18 3 70 7 1 53 0 448
2023 306 19 5 79 7 0 63 0 479

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 507 27.4 18.5 n/a
1989 458 31.0 14.7 n/a
1990 475 29.0 16.3 54.3
1991 441 27.1 16.2 50.6
1992 451 26.8 16.8 56.5
1993 443 23.6 18.8 54.9
1994 453 26.7 17.0 55
1995 429 26.6 16.1 60.4
1996 429 26.6 16.1 60.4
1997 489 24.2 20.2 42.1
1998 378 24.2 15.6 66.4
1999 398 20.3 19.6 69.3
2000 335 22.0 15.2 79.4
2001 349 23.0 15.2 76.2
2002 347 29.0 12.0 74.4
2003 347 29.0 12.0 74.4
2004 355 25.0 14.2 74.1
2005 364 29.0 12.6 79.1
2006 390 23.0 17.0 74.4
2007 389 28.0 13.9 83.3
2008 382 27.0 14.1 78.5
2009 377 25.0 15.1 82.8
2010 372 25.9 13.2 82.3
2011 381 23.4 16.2 83.5
2012 340 21.7 15.6 85.6
2013 384 24.1 15.9 77.3
2014 393 32.8 11.9 85
2015 430 32.0 13.4 82.6
2016 445 35.0 12.7 81.1
2017 507 43.0 11.7 36.1
2018 527 36.6 14.3 37.6
2019 528 29.5 17.8 68.6
2020 530 31.1 16.9 74.2
2021 395 27.5 14.3 66.3
2022 448 27.5 16.2 72.3
2023 479 26.9 17.7 74.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 507 27.4 18.5 n/a
1989 458 31.0 14.7 n/a
1990 475 29.0 16.3 54.3
1991 441 27.1 16.2 50.6
1992 451 26.8 16.8 56.5
1993 443 23.6 18.8 54.9
1994 453 26.7 17.0 55
1995 429 26.6 16.1 60.4
1996 429 26.6 16.1 60.4
1997 489 24.2 20.2 42.1
1998 378 24.2 15.6 66.4
1999 398 20.3 19.6 69.3
2000 335 22.0 15.2 79.4
2001 349 23.0 15.2 76.2
2002 347 29.0 12.0 74.4
2003 347 29.0 12.0 74.4
2004 355 25.0 14.2 74.1
2005 364 29.0 12.6 79.1
2006 390 23.0 17.0 74.4
2007 389 28.0 13.9 83.3
2008 382 27.0 14.1 78.5
2009 377 25.0 15.1 82.8
2010 372 25.9 13.2 82.3
2011 381 23.4 16.2 83.5
2012 340 21.7 15.6 85.6
2013 384 24.1 15.9 77.3
2014 393 32.8 11.9 85
2015 430 32.0 13.4 82.6
2016 445 35.0 12.7 81.1
2017 507 43.0 11.7 36.1
2018 527 36.6 14.3 37.6
2019 528 29.5 17.8 68.6
2020 530 31.1 16.9 74.2
2021 395 27.5 14.3 66.3
2022 448 27.5 16.2 72.3
2023 479 26.9 17.7 74.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Central Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,616 (28.4%) $6,609 (71.6%) $9,225

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Central Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 391st of 488 Elementary schoolsRanks 336th of 492 Elementary schools
 11.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Central Elementary School)5444
 10%
   3rd Grade English (Van Buren School District)68.757.7
 11%
   3rd Grade English (Arkansas)72.462.6
 9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Central Elementary School)40.237.3
 2.9%
   3rd Grade Math (Van Buren School District)60.151.5
 8.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)62.154.4
 7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Central Elementary School)19.521.4
 1.9%
   3rd Grade Science (Van Buren School District)34.631.1
 3.5%
   3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)39.435
 4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Central Elementary School)21.818.7
 3.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Van Buren School District)33.627.7
 5.9%
   3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)38.332.2
 6.1%
4th Grade English (Central Elementary School)61.159
 2.1%
   4th Grade English (Van Buren School District)67.364.7
 2.6%
   4th Grade English (Arkansas)69.663.3
 6.3%
4th Grade Math (Central Elementary School)48.139.7
 8.4%
   4th Grade Math (Van Buren School District)53.751.8
 1.9%
   4th Grade Math (Arkansas)53.848.6
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Central Elementary School)27.728.2
 0.5%
   4th Grade Science (Van Buren School District)39.938.4
 1.5%
   4th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.338.5
 3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Central Elementary School)28.730.8
 2.1%
   4th Grade Reading (Van Buren School District)37.942.1
 4.2%
   4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)45.342
 3.3%
5th Grade English (Central Elementary School)63.872.3
 8.5%
   5th Grade English (Van Buren School District)72.374.7
 2.4%
   5th Grade English (Arkansas)73.370.2
 3.1%
5th Grade Math (Central Elementary School)49.547.7
 1.8%
   5th Grade Math (Van Buren School District)54.844.9
 9.9%
   5th Grade Math (Arkansas)49.240.7
 8.5%
5th Grade Science (Central Elementary School)3340
 7%
   5th Grade Science (Van Buren School District)40.437.8
 2.6%
   5th Grade Science (Arkansas)40.734.6
 6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Central Elementary School)28.641.5
 12.9%
   5th Grade Reading (Van Buren School District)37.140.3
 3.2%
   5th Grade Reading (Arkansas)4136.8
 4.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students528479
 9.3%
African American1019
 90%
American Indian117
 36.4%
Asian45
 25%
Hispanic9779
 18.6%
Pacific Islander00
White372306
 17.7%
Two or More Races3463
 85.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients68.6%74.5%
 6%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School ranks 365th of 497 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 479 students attended Central Elementary School.

Students at Central Elementary School are 64% White, 16% Hispanic, 13% Two or more races, 4% African American, 1% American Indian, 1% Asian.

Students who attend Central Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Van Buren High School


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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.





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