Below Average
#496 of 603 schools in MT
Belt School
Elementary School · Belt Elem
PO Box 197, Belt, MT 59412
Enrollment
195
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
195
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Belt
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#269 of 319
In district
#2 of 2
Belt Elem
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Belt School
Belt School serves 195 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in the small rural community of Belt, Montana. This elementary school stands out academically, ranking 82nd out of 605 Montana schools and earning an impressive 87th percentile ranking statewide. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a comfortable 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio, students receive personalized attention that shows in their academic performance.
The school demonstrates strong academic results, with 67% of students achieving proficiency or above in math and 57% meeting proficiency standards in English language arts and reading. These solid performance levels reflect the school's commitment to elementary education fundamentals and suggest effective teaching practices that help students build essential skills during their formative years. Belt School serves families in a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $75,250 and homeownership reflects long-term commitment to the area with median home values around $226,900.
The community shows educational investment, with 31% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 8.2%. Located in Cascade County's rural landscape, Belt School provides small-town educational excellence where students can develop strong foundations while being part of a close-knit community of fewer than 1,500 residents.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 195 students, Belt 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.
Located in a rural area, Belt School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Belt School — Students at Belt School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.4%
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: 3.1/10.
How Belt School Compares
See how Belt School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
PO Box 197, Belt, MT 59412
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Belt School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Loy School (rated 7.1/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Great Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highwood School (rated 7.0/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Highwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Morningside School (rated 6.9/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Great Falls), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Belt, see our Belt schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Valley School Belt | 0.0 mi | — |
| Belt 7-8 Belt | 0.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Belt High School Belt | 0.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Hill Top Colony School Sand Coulee | 7.9 mi | — |
| Centerville School Sand Coulee | 10.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Centerville 6-8 Sand Coulee | 10.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Centerville High School Sand Coulee | 10.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Highwood School Highwood | 14.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Highwood High School Highwood | 14.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Highwood Middle School Highwood | 14.8 mi | — |
| Big Stone School Sand Coulee | 13.0 mi | — |
| Loy School Great Falls | 15.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Chief Joseph School Great Falls | 15.7 mi | 5.3 |
| TREASURE STATE ACADEMY Great Falls | 16.2 mi | 5.5 |
| East Middle School Great Falls | 16.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Morningside School Great Falls | 16.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Mountain View School Great Falls | 16.3 mi | 5.0 |
| MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd HS Great Falls | 16.6 mi | — |
| MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd El Great Falls | 16.6 mi | — |
| Lewis & Clark School Great Falls | 16.6 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59412 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,409
Median Home Value
$236,100
Median Rent
$825/mo
Population
1,450
College Educated
31.6%
Homeownership
79.1%
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
42.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Belt School has a median household income of $83,409. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,100, with a median rent of $825/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell, MT | 4.9 |
| Whittier School Great Falls, MT | 4.9 |
| Fairfield Elementary School Fairfield, MT | 5.0 |
| Meadowlark School Conrad, MT | 5.0 |
| Ophir Elementary School Big Sky, MT | 5.0 |
| Box Elder School Box Elder, MT | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Belt School
What grades does Belt School serve?
Belt School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Belt School?
Belt School has an enrollment of approximately 195 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Belt School?
The student-teacher ratio at Belt School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Belt School rank in MT?
Belt School is ranked #496 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Belt School's MySchoolScout rating?
Belt School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Belt School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belt School has 72.0% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Belt School a charter school?
No, Belt School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Belt School a Title I school?
No, Belt School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belt School?
36.4% of students at Belt 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 (333/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 195
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cascade County
- Phone
- (406) 277-3351
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Belt Elem- District Enrollment
- 269
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,635
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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