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GreatSchools Rating

Van Buren Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 716 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 3 ratings
2010:
Based on 1 rating

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11 reviews of this school


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Posted December 12, 2011

Wow I think I may be one of the few that is unhappy with this school. The teachers are not perfect but they are great, especially given the number of kids they have to deal with and the lack of teachers' assistants. They are most of them stuck with a loud chaotic class. The lunches are not healthy and so you are better off having your child take their lunch. A nurse is not on staff and is at the school sporadically throughout each month, but tries to make it in twice a week, but she is divided between Van Buren and Fairmont High. The principal, asst. principal, and counscelors are not reliable in protecting children from bullies, as we found out the hard way last year. Little to no support for the child that is being bullied. A lot of the kids have some hardluck stories, and the behaviours to go along with that. We do not find the curriculum advanced at all, and are supplementing at home. We are actually thinking to go to homeschooling for the 8th grade because of it.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 18, 2011

Van Buren is a great school. this is my first year in this school and i havent had any trouble with the teachers or students. Van Buren has excellent teachers that really seem to care about their students.


Posted January 30, 2011

Van Buren is the best school I've ever been to. The teachers are fantastic and really care about the students. The principal is really nice and always talks with students and doesn't just stay locked up in his office. He also is very anti-bully and stays true to his word when he promises things. I'm in 6th grade and I've never seen anyone bullied. There are very nice full-sized lockers and there is very "high-tech" equipment like i-pads and i-pod touches. There is also a computer lap with 40+ newly bought computers. There are great unified arts and gifted classes. Also there are many great after school programs. I recommend this school to anyone looking for a great school with good test scores and fun activities and don't take their students for granted.


Posted April 25, 2010

Amazing school. I moved here for only for the ratings this school got. It has really let my kids express themselves.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 24, 2010

Both my boys got a very good education at that school
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 18, 2009

The teachers are awesome! Our family appreciates the kindness and caring offered as well as the help with our nontraditional family.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2009

What makes this a great school are the teachers and parents who work together in the best interest of the children
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 15, 2009

The teachers at this school really help me understand more things better.
—Submitted by a student


Posted November 7, 2008

Excellent school. The staff is professional and effective. The principal leads the building using the latest research and proven techniques. ALL students can be successful at Van Buren.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 23, 2004

I have been thoroughly impressed with Van Buren staff and students in the 6th grade. Matt Rugh has done an outstanding job with the staff and their willingness to work as a team. He is firm and yet fair. I attended Kettering Junior High in the 1980's and went onto Fairmont and I believe the Kettering school district has gotten stronger and many great things are being accomplished.
—Submitted by jennifer Sullivan, a parent


Posted August 26, 2003

I am overall happy with Van Buren, this is our 2nd year there and my daughter has adjusted quite well. The school has challenged her as well as allowed her grow as a person. Its been a great experience.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2011.

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
85%

2008

 
 
89%

2007

 
 
85%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 86% in 2011.

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
85%

2008

 
 
87%

2007

 
 
84%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Ohio used the Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The OAA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Ohio. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Ohio's state standards

Source: Ohio Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 75% in 2011.

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
83%

2008

 
 
80%

2007

 
 
74%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 77% in 2011.

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
84%

2008

 
 
85%

2007

 
 
89%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Ohio used the Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The OAA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Ohio. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Ohio's state standards

Source: Ohio Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 74% in 2011.

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
79%

2009

 
 
80%

2008

 
 
77%

2007

 
 
84%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
85%

2008

 
 
92%

2007

 
 
90%
Science

The state average for Science was 67% in 2011.

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
73%

2008

 
 
82%

2007

 
 
73%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Ohio used the Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The OAA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Ohio. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Ohio's state standards

Source: Ohio Department of Education

Math

All Students86%
Female89%
Male82%
Black, non-Hispanic60%
Asian or Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracial92%
White86%
Economically disadvantaged75%
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Disabled46%
Non-disabled92%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Gifted>95%

Reading

All Students93%
Female>95%
Male90%
Black, non-Hispanic70%
Asian or Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracial92%
White94%
Economically disadvantaged90%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Disabled70%
Non-disabled>95%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Gifted>95%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Ohio used the Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The OAA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Ohio. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Ohio Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Ohio's state standards

Source: Ohio Department of Education

Math

All Students91%
Female90%
Male91%
Black, non-Hispanicn/a
Asian or Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White91%
Economically disadvantaged89%
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Disabled63%
Non-disabled>95%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Gifted>95%

Reading

All Students88%
Female91%
Male87%
Black, non-Hispanicn/a
Asian or Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White89%
Economically disadvantaged87%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Disabled53%
Non-disabled94%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Gifted>95%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Ohio used the Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The OAA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Ohio. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Ohio Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Ohio's state standards

Source: Ohio Department of Education

Math

All Students80%
Female83%
Male77%
Black, non-Hispanicn/a
Asian or Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracial70%
White81%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Not economically disadvantaged86%
Disabled55%
Non-disabled86%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Gifted>95%

Reading

All Students93%
Female>95%
Male91%
Black, non-Hispanicn/a
Asian or Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracial>95%
White93%
Economically disadvantaged90%
Not economically disadvantaged>95%
Disabled76%
Non-disabled>95%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Gifted>95%

Science

All Students79%
Female79%
Male79%
Black, non-Hispanicn/a
Asian or Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracial80%
White80%
Economically disadvantaged72%
Not economically disadvantaged83%
Disabled52%
Non-disabled85%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Gifted>95%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Ohio used the Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The OAA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Ohio. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Ohio Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Ohio's state standards

Source: Ohio Department of Education

In 2010-2011, this school received an Overall Rating of "Met Expected Growth".

Math

Reading

Grade 6MetAbove
Grade 7MetAbove
Grade 8BelowMet

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Ohio Department of Education used the Value-Added Measure to show how much growth students made on the Ohio Achievement Test since the last school year. The state expects that student test scores will show an average year's worth of growth compared to test scores from the previous year. Ohio's Value-Added Measure is not the same as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), a federal measure which uses different criteria.

See Ohio's state standards

Source: Ohio Department of Education

 
102 (2011)
 
101 (2010)
 
97 (2009)
 
99 (2008)

0
60
120

About the tests


Ohio uses the Performance Index to provide an overall indication of how well students perform on its standardized tests each year. The Performance Index scores are based upon how well each student does on all tested subjects in grades 3 through 8 and 10. Schools and districts earn anywhere from 1.2 points for each student scoring at the advanced level to zero points for each untested student. The Performance Index ranges between 0 and 120, with 100 as the statewide goal for all students.

See Ohio's state standards

Source: Ohio Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 94% 76%
Black 3% 16%
Hispanic 2% 3%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 2%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Economically disadvantaged students 26%N/A36%
Students with disabilities 15%N/A14%
Source: OH Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Attendance

  This school District averageState average
Attendance rate 95%N/A94%
Source: OH Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 16N/A18
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Bachelor's degree or higher 100%N/A99%
Master's degree or higher 69%N/A59%
Source: OH Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Temporary teaching certificate 0%N/AN/A
Fully certified 98%N/A98%
Source: OH Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

3775 Shroyer Rd
Kettering, OH 45429
Phone: (937) 499-1800

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