Summary:
The Van Buren R-I school district in Missouri has only one elementary school, Van Buren Elementary, which serves grades PK-6. With 291 students enrolled, the school is performing below average compared to other elementary schools in the state, earning a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.
Van Buren Elementary struggles with consistently low academic performance, with test scores significantly below the state averages across multiple grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 4th grade mathematics, only 27.6% of students were proficient or better, compared to the state average of 44.4%. The school also has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 12.9%, which can negatively impact student learning. Despite relatively small class sizes, with a student-teacher ratio of 11.4, the school has been unable to translate this advantage into improved outcomes.
Another key factor is the high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with 69.76% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. This suggests the school serves a predominantly low-income population, which may contribute to the academic challenges. While the school spends a relatively high amount per student at $10,473, this has not yet translated into significant improvements in student performance. The district and school leadership should prioritize developing and implementing targeted strategies to address these persistent issues and improve outcomes for the students of Van Buren Elementary.
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