Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+19.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,473

Belt School — Students at Belt School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 65.3%
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
82%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
57%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in MT
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

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.