Van Buren County Schools & Education
Van Buren County, Iowa
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
42/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
84.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
84.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,001
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
42/100
Higher = better
State avg 61/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#96
of 99 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Van Buren County
School Verdict
Van Buren County has average school quality (score: 42/100) with a graduation rate of 84.0%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Van Buren County spends $8,001 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Van Buren County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 31% below the Iowa average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 8.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Van Buren County, Iowa
A Consolidated Rural Education Infrastructure
Van Buren County operates three public schools within a single unified school district serving 867 students. The landscape consists of two elementary centers and one high school, providing a streamlined educational path for the local community.
Higher Spending with Room for Growth
The county invests $8,001 per pupil, which exceeds the state average of $7,591 but remains well below the national mark of $13,000. While the school score of 52.5 is slightly above the national median, the 84% graduation rate trails both the state and national averages.
Van Buren County Community School District
The Van Buren County Community School District manages all education in the area, with no charter schools currently operating. This single-district model ensures that all 867 students share a consistent curriculum and resource pool.
Intimate Learning in a Rural Setting
Every school in the county is classified as rural, creating an average school size of 289 students. The Van Buren County Community Middle & High School is the largest campus with 369 students, while the Harmony Center is the smallest at 189 students.
Finding Your Home in Van Buren County
For families seeking a close-knit, rural environment, Van Buren County offers a high level of community connection. Exploring homes here means joining a single-district system where every student is part of the same local legacy.
School Overview
Total Schools
3
in Van Buren County
Total Enrollment
867
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Van Buren County
Van Buren County Comm School District
3 Public Schools in Van Buren County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren County Community Middle & High School | Van Buren County Comm School District | 7–12 | High | 369 |
| Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center | Van Buren County Comm School District | PK–6 | Primary | 309 |
| Van Buren County Community School District Harmony Center | Van Buren County Comm School District | PK–6 | Primary | 189 |
Van Buren County Comm School District
Van Buren County Comm School District
Van Buren County Comm School District
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,001
State avg $7,591
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Van Buren County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Van Buren County?
How much does Van Buren County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Van Buren County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Van Buren County, Iowa?
Van Buren County operates three public schools within a single unified school district serving 867 students. The landscape consists of two elementary centers and one high school, providing a streamlined educational path for the local community.
How do schools in Van Buren County perform academically?
The county invests $8,001 per pupil, which exceeds the state average of $7,591 but remains well below the national mark of $13,000. While the school score of 52.5 is slightly above the national median, the 84% graduation rate trails both the state and national averages.
What are the major school districts in Van Buren County, Iowa?
The Van Buren County Community School District manages all education in the area, with no charter schools currently operating. This single-district model ensures that all 867 students share a consistent curriculum and resource pool.
What is the school experience like in Van Buren County?
Every school in the county is classified as rural, creating an average school size of 289 students. The Van Buren County Community Middle & High School is the largest campus with 369 students, while the Harmony Center is the smallest at 189 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Van Buren County, Iowa?
For families seeking a close-knit, rural environment, Van Buren County offers a high level of community connection. Exploring homes here means joining a single-district system where every student is part of the same local legacy.
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Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.