Van Buren Elementary School

Summary:

Van Buren Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, serving 365 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Cedar Rapids Community School District, which has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academically, Van Buren Elementary School faces significant challenges. The school's performance on the ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) is consistently lower than the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, only 27.3% of 5th-grade students at Van Buren were proficient or better in Science, compared to 50.1% for the district and 59.6% for the state. Additionally, the school has a low statewide ranking, ranging from 464 out of 603 schools in 2018-2019 to 523 out of 557 schools in 2023-2024, with a 0 or 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Van Buren has a more diverse student population, with a higher percentage of African American (35.62%) and Hispanic (25.48%) students compared to nearby schools, the data suggests that factors beyond just student demographics may be contributing to the school's lower performance. For instance, the nearby Johnson STEAM Academy School and Harrison Elementary School also serve a significant percentage of minority and economically disadvantaged students, yet they generally perform better academically than Van Buren. This indicates that the school's challenges may be related to factors such as instructional practices, school leadership, and community engagement.

Detail:

Public K-5

2525 29th ST SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

(319) 558-2377

District: Cedar Rapids Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
523^rd of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,319

Students who attend Van Buren Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Wilson Middle School
High:	Thomas Jefferson High School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.1

Number of students: 409

Racial breakdown:

African American:

42.1%

White:

24.9%

Hispanic:

24.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 86.3%

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Compare Van Buren Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Van Buren Elementary School ranks worse than 93.9% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 16^th among 20 ranked elementary schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 7.35. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Van Buren Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (42.1%), White (24.9%), Hispanic (24.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 86.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Van Buren Elementary School is 14.1, which is the 10^th best among 20 elementary schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. (See more...)

Compare Van Buren Elementary School employs 28.9 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Van Buren Elementary School is $15,319, which is the 10^th highest among 20 elementary schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Cedar Rapids Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Cedar Rapids Community School District 276^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Van Buren Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	40.71	448^th	626	28.4%
2013	24.92	542^nd	624	13.1%
2014	36.49	465^th	603	22.9%
2015	14.74	550^th	616	10.7%
2016	18.64	519^th	599	13.4%
2017	14.98	506^th	574	11.8%
2018	10.60	518^th	567	8.6%
2019	30.99	464^th	603	23.1%
2021	16.82	499^th	567	12.0%
2022	11.17	524^th	574	8.7%
2023	23.01	470^th	565	16.8%
2024	7.35	523^rd	557	6.1%

See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Van Buren Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	420	13	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	436
1989	376	14	7	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	398
1990	379	8	10	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	398
1991	344	6	13	2	3	n/a	n/a	0	368
1992	350	7	15	2	6	n/a	n/a	0	380
1993	355	4	10	6	5	n/a	n/a	0	380
1994	335	5	6	6	2	n/a	n/a	0	354
1995	351	13	8	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	377
1996	351	13	8	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	377
1997	342	25	6	7	1	n/a	n/a	0	381
1998	319	30	11	2	2	n/a	n/a	0	364
1999	317	50	12	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	388
2000	360	40	12	6	7	n/a	n/a	-25	400
2001	333	36	12	9	5	n/a	n/a	0	395
2002	347	44	8	15	4	n/a	n/a	0	418
2003	347	44	8	15	4	n/a	n/a	0	418
2004	329	65	12	16	3	n/a	n/a	0	425
2005	311	54	9	18	4	n/a	n/a	0	396
2006	305	45	8	10	2	n/a	n/a	0	370
2007	288	49	11	10	2	n/a	n/a	0	360
2008	284	59	9	9	2	n/a	n/a	0	363
2009	297	62	15	14	2	n/a	n/a	0	390
2010	270	56	12	15	1	2	0	0	356
2011	272	53	15	49	1	3	6	0	399
2012	255	54	14	63	0	4	18	0	408
2013	195	40	8	78	0	3	19	0	343
2014	188	49	10	85	0	4	26	0	362
2015	184	61	6	92	0	2	35	0	380
2016	187	50	9	98	0	2	33	0	379
2017	182	71	9	90	0	0	27	0	379
2018	194	108	10	98	0	0	32	0	442
2019	184	122	7	101	0	0	29	0	443
2020	174	117	4	92	0	3	29	0	419
2021	145	115	3	89	0	4	29	0	385
2022	135	113	3	81	1	4	26	0	363
2023	101	130	10	93	1	3	27	0	365
2024	102	172	6	99	1	6	23	0	409

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 Van Buren Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	436	30.6	14.2	33.5
1989	398	29.3	13.5	32.2
1990	398	27.5	14.4	31.4
1991	368	28.0	13.1	31.8
1992	380	27.0	14.0	31.8
1993	380	24.2	15.7	36.3
1994	354	21.0	16.9	35
1995	377	22.5	16.8	36.3
1996	377	22.5	16.8	36.3
1997	381	23.2	16.4	40.2
1998	364	23.2	15.7	42.3
1999	388	24.3	16.0	50.3
2000	400	25.2	15.9	44.5
2001	395	24.0	16.5	51.9
2002	418	22.0	19.0	56.2
2003	418	22.0	19.0	56.2
2004	425	25.2	16.9	57.2
2005	396	24.2	16.4	54.3
2006	370	24.3	15.2	59.5
2007	360	22.4	16.1	60.8
2008	363	26.8	13.5	64.2
2009	390	25.2	15.5	65.4
2010	356	25.0	14.2	64.3
2011	399	30.0	13.3	67.9
2012	408	28.0	14.5	73.3
2013	343	25.7	13.3	73.5
2014	362	26.3	13.7	74.6
2015	380	27.0	14.0	74.2
2016	379	27.0	14.0	76
2017	379	27.5	13.7	69.7
2018	442	28.6	15.4	83.7
2019	443	36.4	12.1	81.3
2020	419	34.3	12.1	73.7
2021	385	34.8	11.0	80.3
2022	363	29.7	12.1	83.5
2023	365	30.7	11.8	83
2024	409	28.9	14.1	86.3

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 Van Buren Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	436	30.6	14.2	33.5
1989	398	29.3	13.5	32.2
1990	398	27.5	14.4	31.4
1991	368	28.0	13.1	31.8
1992	380	27.0	14.0	31.8
1993	380	24.2	15.7	36.3
1994	354	21.0	16.9	35
1995	377	22.5	16.8	36.3
1996	377	22.5	16.8	36.3
1997	381	23.2	16.4	40.2
1998	364	23.2	15.7	42.3
1999	388	24.3	16.0	50.3
2000	400	25.2	15.9	44.5
2001	395	24.0	16.5	51.9
2002	418	22.0	19.0	56.2
2003	418	22.0	19.0	56.2
2004	425	25.2	16.9	57.2
2005	396	24.2	16.4	54.3
2006	370	24.3	15.2	59.5
2007	360	22.4	16.1	60.8
2008	363	26.8	13.5	64.2
2009	390	25.2	15.5	65.4
2010	356	25.0	14.2	64.3
2011	399	30.0	13.3	67.9
2012	408	28.0	14.5	73.3
2013	343	25.7	13.3	73.5
2014	362	26.3	13.7	74.6
2015	380	27.0	14.0	74.2
2016	379	27.0	14.0	76
2017	379	27.5	13.7	69.7
2018	442	28.6	15.4	83.7
2019	443	36.4	12.1	81.3
2020	419	34.3	12.1	73.7
2021	385	34.8	11.0	80.3
2022	363	29.7	12.1	83.5
2023	365	30.7	11.8	83
2024	409	28.9	14.1	86.3

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 Van Buren Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$2,181 (14.2%)	$13,139 (85.8%)	$15,319

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Van Buren 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 464^th of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 470^th of 565 Elementary schools	6.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Van Buren Elementary School)	47.9	46.2	1.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cedar Rapids Community School District)	61.8	54.8	7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Van Buren Elementary School)	57.7	63.5	5.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Cedar Rapids Community School District)	65.7	64.1	1.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Van Buren Elementary School)	56.7	50	6.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cedar Rapids Community School District)	65	68.1	3.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Van Buren Elementary School)	64.2	40.9	23.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Cedar Rapids Community School District)	62.8	65.8	3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Van Buren Elementary School)	65.7	66.7	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cedar Rapids Community School District)	62.7	62.7
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Van Buren Elementary School)	74.6	71.9	2.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Cedar Rapids Community School District)	60.3	60.5	0.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	443	365	17.6%
African American	122	130	6.6%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	7	10	42.9%
Hispanic	101	93	7.9%
Pacific Islander	0	3
White	184	101	45.1%
Two or More Races	29	27	6.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	81.3%	83%	1.7%

Schools Near Van Buren Elementary School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)			ISASP Mathematics (2024)			ISASP Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
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 (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 4th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 5th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 3rd Grade	ISASP Mathematics 4th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 5th Grade	ISASP Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Van Buren Elementary School	Public	K-5	2525 29th ST SW	Cedar Rapids	52404	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 558-2377	409	29	14.1	86.3%	102 (24.9%)	172 (42.1%)	99 (24.2%)	6 (1.5%)	1 (0.2%)	6 (1.5%)	23 (5.6%)	7.4	523^rd of 557 public elementary schools	6.1%		23	470^th of 565 public elementary schools	16.8%	53	40.9	42.6	43.2	43.2	54.1	56.8	27.3	$15,319	$2,181	$13,139
Cleveland Elementary School	Public	K-5	2200 1st AVE NW	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 558-2463	277	22	12.6	76.2%	128 (46.2%)	79 (28.5%)	24 (8.7%)	5 (1.8%)	1 (0.4%)	7 (2.5%)	33 (11.9%)	1.6	553^rd of 557 public elementary schools	0.7%		2.5	556^th of 565 public elementary schools	1.6%	3	22.6	45.5	26.8	41.9	33.3	31.7	31.7	$14,650	$723	$13,927
Hoover Elementary School	Public	K-5	4141 Johnson AVE NW	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 558-2369	396	35	11.2	91.4%	75 (18.9%)	237 (59.8%)	30 (7.6%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.3%)	33 (8.3%)	15.6	485^th of 557 public elementary schools	12.9%		18.8	488^th of 565 public elementary schools	13.6%	3	52.8	58.2	47.8	62.5	49.1	56.5	34.8	$15,359	$1,346	$14,013
Cedar River Academy at Taylor	Public	PK, KG-5	720 7th AVE SW	Cedar Rapids	52404	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 558-2477	344	29	11.8	83.7%	120 (34.9%)	122 (35.5%)	39 (11.3%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	10 (2.9%)	50 (14.5%)	5	535^th of 557 public elementary schools	3.9%		2.3	557^th of 565 public elementary schools	1.4%	22	20.4	42.2	52.6	33.3	44.4	42.1	42.1	$19,246	$2,030	$17,216
Grant Elementary School	Public	K-5	254 Outlook DR SW	Cedar Rapids	52404	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 558-2020	294	26	11.3	82.7%	144 (49.0%)	67 (22.8%)	33 (11.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (1.0%)	46 (15.6%)	10.8	508^th of 557 public elementary schools	8.8%		11.4	516^th of 565 public elementary schools	8.7%	8	50.0	43.4	41.7	60.5	50.9	52.8	41.7	$16,225	$884	$15,341
Truman Early Learning Center	Public	PK	441 West Post Road NW	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(319) 558-3962	298	16	18.6	49.3%	127 (42.6%)	88 (29.5%)	30 (10.1%)	3 (1.0%)	6 (2.0%)	2 (0.7%)	42 (14.1%)								(n/a)
Madison Elementary School	Public	K-5	1341 Woodside DR NW	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 555-2000	159	9	17.9	57.2%	100 (62.9%)	29 (18.2%)	15 (9.4%)	2 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (8.2%)	67.3	184^th of 557 public elementary schools	67.0%		43.1	377^th of 565 public elementary schools	33.3%	193	64.7	72.2	68.0	91.2	83.3	80.0	72.0	$15,609	$506	$15,103
Maple Grove Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1300 38th ST NW	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 558-2471	527	35	15.1	39.5%	381 (72.3%)	57 (10.8%)	36 (6.8%)	9 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	41 (7.8%)	71.4	148^th of 557 public elementary schools	73.4%		64.8	204^th of 565 public elementary schools	63.9%	56	75.9	84.5	74.4	78.5	84.5	84.6	62.8	$14,520	$250	$14,269
West Willow Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6225 1st AVE SW	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 558-3130	541	32	16.9	42.7%	309 (57.1%)	119 (22.0%)	46 (8.5%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	60 (11.1%)	39	391^st of 557 public elementary schools	29.8%		48.4	339^th of 565 public elementary schools	40.0%	52	52.1	68.8	64.3	73.2	67.1	71.4	52.9	$14,545	$265	$14,280
Harrison Elementary School	Public	K-5	1310 11th ST NW	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 558-2269	288	19	15.1	77.8%	129 (44.8%)	72 (25.0%)	37 (12.8%)	4 (1.4%)	4 (1.4%)	7 (2.4%)	35 (12.2%)	4.8	539^th of 557 public elementary schools	3.2%		11.1	518^th of 565 public elementary schools	8.3%	21	32.0	38.1	44.4	60.0	45.2	37.8	28.9	$15,848	$1,116	$14,732

Frequently Asked Questions about Van Buren Elementary School

Is Van Buren Elementary School a good school?

Van Buren Elementary School ranks in the bottom 6.1% of Iowa elementary schools.

How many students attend Van Buren Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 409 students attended Van Buren Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Van Buren Elementary School?

Students at Van Buren Elementary School are 42% African American, 25% White, 24% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 1% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander.

What district is Van Buren Elementary School in?

Cedar Rapids Community School District

What schools do graduates of Van Buren Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Van Buren Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Wilson Middle School
High : Thomas Jefferson 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 Iowa Department of 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.