D
Needs Improvement
44/100

Central Elementary School

📚 K – 05 🏫 Elementary
📍 501 N 24TH ST, Van Buren, AR 72956
Overall
D
44/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
D
Reading 31% · Math 45% proficient · 19th percentile in Arkansas
Resources
B
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Arkansas schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

44
Repit Score
out of 100
489
Students
enrolled
18.0:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$13K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Academics (reading & math)75%19/100reading 18th percentile, math 19th percentile among Arkansas elementary schools (2018–19 state tests)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)25%76/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 23% students directly certified for free meals (their families receive SNAP or similar aid). Compared with Arkansas schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are −19 points worse than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Arkansas. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency31% (−12 pts vs. state avg 43%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency45% (−1 pts vs. state avg 46%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Arkansas state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White27%42%reading -26 pts, math -24 pts6th percentile (list)
Hispanic35%45%reading -2 pts, math -6 pts37th percentile (list)
Multiracial30%10%reading -20 pts, math -47 pts0th percentile (list)
Low-income27%42%reading -8 pts, math -6 pts23rd percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 501 N 24TH ST
City Van Buren
ZIP Code 72956
District 0513410
NCES School ID 051341001097
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 72956

Understanding the community around Central Elementary School helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $57,625
Per Capita Income $30,013
Poverty Rate 10.8%
Households Earning $100K+ 21.4%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 21.7%
High School or Higher 86.9%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $155,700
Median Rent $793
Owner-Occupied 71.5%
Renter-Occupied 28.5%
View full data for ZIP 72956 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 72956 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 72956 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Central Elementary School.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 62.6%
Hispanic/Latino 16.0%
Two or More Races 14.5%
Black 3.7%
Asian 1.6%
American Indian 1.4%
Pacific Islander 0.2%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 489
Teachers (FTE) 27.2
Student:Teacher Ratio 18.0:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has a Repit School Score of 44 out of 100, earning a grade of D. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has 489 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.0:1.
What grades does Central Elementary School serve?
Central Elementary School serves grades K – 05 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does Central Elementary School receive per student?
Central Elementary School receives $13,458 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is around the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Central Elementary School in 72956 ▼
Avg Home Value
$210,845
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,040
1-Year Change
+6.6%
% Renters
28.5%

Other Schools in 72956

View all schools and real estate data for 72956 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026