Van Buren Schools Named An “Exemplary” District In State Report Card

High graduation rates and low absenteeism led to the Van Buren County School System being named an “exemplary” district.

The state released its annual report card on school systems Monday in an effort to understand how school districts serve students. Director of Schools Cheryl Cope said she credits the success to teachers and students buying into learning.

“The past two years since COVID we have really been concentrating on the chronically out of school, and so, we have improved on that,” Cope said. “Our graduation rate is usually one of the top in the state. It is usually 95 percent or higher.”

In the state report card, schools are ranked in five categories on a four point basis. Van Buren County Schools ranked between 3.1 and 4.0 after averaging the categories that include achievement, graduation and attendance.

“We’re excited about it,” Cope said. “It has been a challenge at times, but they have really worked hard to utilize the curriculum in order to help our students.”

Cope said achievement is an area that the school system can improve. According to the report card, grades 3-5 received a 2.0 in achievement. High school students earned a 2.5. Middle school grades saw the highest achievement level with a 3.5.

Cope said principals and academic coaches will use the feedback to target language arts and math. Cope said she believes the system will see gains with new curriculums purchased.