Van-Far R-I

The Van-Far R-I school district in Missouri operates two schools: Van-Far Elementary and Van-Far Junior/Senior High. While Van-Far Elementary has strong performance in 3rd grade math, the junior/senior high school has seen a concerning decline in its statewide ranking, dropping from 55th out of 468 high schools in 2017-2018 to 259th out of 352 in 2022-2023.

Van-Far Elementary boasts impressive 3rd grade math scores, with 72.2% of students proficient or better, significantly higher than the state average of 41.1%. However, the school's performance in other grades and subjects, such as 4th and 6th grade math and English Language Arts, suggests room for improvement in ensuring consistent academic achievement across all grade levels. In contrast, Van-Far Junior/Senior High struggles with low test scores, with only 17.1% of 8th graders proficient or better in math and 20.4% in science, well below the state averages.

Both schools serve a majority white student population, with over 50% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The district may need to focus on supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and ensuring they have access to the resources and support they need to succeed. Additionally, the difference in student-teacher ratios between the elementary and high school (13.9 vs. 11.1) may be a factor in the schools' varying academic performance, as smaller class sizes can potentially contribute to more personalized instruction and support for students.