Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-29.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,387

Belfry School — Students at Belfry School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

10%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in MT
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
10%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.