Average
#357 of 603 schools in MT
Belfry School
Elementary School · Belfry K-12 Schools
PO Box 210, Belfry, MT 59008
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Montana elementary schools
#201 of 319
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Belfry School
Belfry School is a small elementary school located in the remote rural area of Belfry, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 30 students, making it a close-knit community where everyone knows each other. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and five full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers personalized attention to every child.
Belfry School’s academic performance is currently in the lower half when compared to other schools in Montana, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.3 out of 10. In reading and math assessments, only 28% and 15% of students are proficient or above, respectively. While these scores indicate there is room for improvement in student achievement, the school’s small size allows teachers to tailor their instruction to meet individual needs and foster a supportive learning environment.
Belfry School sits in a quiet rural setting where community ties run deep, providing students with a sense of belonging and stability as they grow and learn.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 30 students, Belfry School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Belfry School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, Belfry School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Belfry School — Students at Belfry School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
10%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.3/10.
How Belfry School Compares
See how Belfry School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
PO Box 210, Belfry, MT 59008
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Belfry School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fromberg School (rated 9.2/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Fromberg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westside Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 28.9 miles away, in nearby Powell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Joliet School (rated 7.0/10, 23.8 miles away, in nearby Joliet), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Belfry, see our Belfry schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 28.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Belfry High School Belfry | 0.0 mi | — |
| Belfry 7-8 Belfry | 0.0 mi | — |
| Bridger Elementary School Bridger | 11.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Bridger 7-8 Bridger | 11.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Bridger High School Bridger | 11.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Red Lodge High School Red Lodge | 12.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Mountain View School Red Lodge | 12.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Roosevelt Junior High Red Lodge | 12.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Fromberg School Fromberg | 17.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Fromberg High School Fromberg | 17.9 mi | — |
| Fromberg Middle School Fromberg | 17.9 mi | — |
| Roberts School Roberts | 17.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Roberts High School Roberts | 17.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Roberts 7-8 Roberts | 17.0 mi | — |
| Clark Elementary Powell | 18.3 mi | — |
| Joliet School Joliet | 23.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Joliet Middle School Joliet | 23.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Joliet High School Joliet | 23.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Luther School Luther | 22.7 mi | — |
| Westside Elementary Powell | 28.9 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59008 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,563
Median Home Value
$265,500
Population
503
College Educated
23.9%
Homeownership
80.8%
Avg Commute
52.5 min
Poverty Rate
19.7%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Belfry School has a median household income of $86,563. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $265,500. The area has a poverty rate of 19.7%. The average commute in the area is 53 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fairhaven Colony Ulm, MT | 5.9 |
| Bozeman Online Charter School Bozeman, MT | 6.0 |
| Roberts School Roberts, MT | 6.0 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Miles City, MT | 5.8 |
| Hinsdale School Hinsdale, MT | 6.2 |
| Rapelje School Rapelje, MT | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Belfry School
What grades does Belfry School serve?
Belfry School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Belfry School?
Belfry School has an enrollment of approximately 30 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Belfry School?
The student-teacher ratio at Belfry School is 6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Belfry School rank in MT?
Belfry School is ranked #357 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Belfry School's MySchoolScout rating?
Belfry School has a composite rating of 5.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Belfry School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belfry School has 15.0% math proficiency and 28.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Belfry School a charter school?
No, Belfry School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Belfry School a Title I school?
No, Belfry School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belfry School?
10.0% of students at Belfry School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (359/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 30
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 10.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Carbon County
- Phone
- (406) 664-3319
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Belfry K-12 Schools- District Enrollment
- 57
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,159
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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