51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ

Van Buren Independent School District

490 South Paw Paw St
Lawrence, MI 49064-9328
9/
10
Top 20%

Top Rankings

Van Buren Independent School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 104 students in Van Buren Independent School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in Michigan.
Public Elementary Schools in Van Buren Independent School District have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public elementary school average of 38% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
4 Schools
2,544 Schools
# Students
149 Students
953,641 Students
# Teachers
73 Teachers
58,885 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
4:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Van Buren Independent School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 846 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 20% has decreased from 50% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (MI)
#125 out of 862 school districts
(Top 20%)
50%
35%
50-59%
45%
40-59%
38%
(21-22)
≤20%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.52
0.57
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
16%
9%
% Black
9%
18%
% White
67%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $387,973 is higher than the state median of $18,510. The school district revenue/student has grown by 19% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $372,034 is higher than the state median of $17,693. The school district spending/student has grown by 19% over four school years.
This School District
This State (MI)
Total Revenue
$58 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$55 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$387,973
$18,510
Spending / Student
$372,034
$17,693

Best Van Buren Independent School District Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bert Goens Learning Center
Special Education School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
701 S Paw Paw St
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 539-5032
Gr: PK-12 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #22.
Maple Creek Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
30 S Walnut St
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-7961
Gr: K-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 12%

Recent Articles

School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.

Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • District size: 4 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 149 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 4:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 33%
  • : ≤20% (Btm 50% in MI)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 50% (Top 20%)
  • : 50-59% (Top 20%)
  • : 40-59% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education

Quick Links