Van Horn High School is a public high school located at 1109 S. Arlington Ave. in Independence, Missouri, United States, in the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of 2008, it is part of the Independence School District. It previously was part of the Kansas City, Missouri School District when it opened in 1955.
Serving 1,067 students in grades 9-12, Van Horn High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Missouri for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 14% (which is lower than the Missouri state average of 40%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 27% (which is lower than the Missouri state average of 43%).
The student-teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the Missouri state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Missouri state average of 33% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,067 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 92% (Top 20% in MO)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 14% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 27% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 19% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Van Horn High serves the west part of Independence, MO, encompassing an area of approximately 9.7 square miles. Most students can expect a drive of 5 to 10 minutes to reach the school, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 3.2 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MO Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Van Horn High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Missouri for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Van Horn High School's student population of 1,067 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 64 teachers has grown by 10% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,067 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
64 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1955
School Calendar
School Motto
Fly to the Sky!
School Rankings
Van Horn High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,076 schools in Missouri (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Van Horn High School is 0.70, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.52. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1847 out of 2076 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
14%
40%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
43%
Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
19%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
12:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
2%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
39%
9%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
Black
15%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
White
35%
67%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
10%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
92%
89.3%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)41.9%
20.5%
Eligible for Free Lunch
64%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
14%
7%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
School Mascot
Falcon
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MO Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Van Horn High School's ranking?
Van Horn High School is ranked #1847 out of 2,076 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Missouri.
What schools are Van Horn High School often compared to?
Van Horn High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Truman High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
14% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 40% MO state average), while 27% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 43% MO state average).
What is the graduation rate of Van Horn High School?
The graduation rate of Van Horn High School is 92%, which is higher than the Missouri state average of 89.3%.
How many students attend Van Horn High School?
1,067 students attend Van Horn High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
39% of Van Horn High School students are Hispanic, 35% of students are White, 15% of students are Black, 10% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Van Horn High School?
Van Horn High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Missouri state average of 12:1.
What grades does Van Horn High School offer ?
Van Horn High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Van Horn High School part of?
Van Horn High School is part of Independence 30 School District.
School Reviews
4 10/10/2025
Honestly a nice place. very diverse and a handful of nice teachers.-> Mrs. Cox is the best teacher
Review Van Horn High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
