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Very Good

#160 of 603 schools in MT

Top 26% in state

Boulder Elementary School

Elementary School · Boulder Elem

PO Box 1346, Boulder, MT 59632

Enrollment

166

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Boulder

#3 of 3

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#92 of 319

In district

#2 of 2

Boulder Elem

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Boulder Elementary School

Boulder Elementary School serves 166 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in the rural community of Boulder, Montana. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.4 to 1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers, creating a close-knit learning environment where educators can provide personalized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranking 93rd out of 605 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among Montana schools.

With an academic score of 8.3 out of 10, Boulder Elementary shows particular strength in reading and language arts, where 56% of students perform at proficient or above levels across all grades. Mathematics achievement stands at 43% proficiency, indicating an area with room for continued growth and development. The school draws families from Jefferson County's 59632 zip code area, where the median household income is $59,789 and median home value reaches $245,300.

The community has a 7.1% poverty rate and 28% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Boulder Elementary operates in Montana's scenic rural landscape, providing students with a small-town educational experience that emphasizes both academic achievement and community connection.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 166 students, Boulder Elementary 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, Boulder Elementary 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 Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected+17.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,722

Boulder Elementary School — Students at Boulder Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.2%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
47%
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: 6.8/10.

How Boulder Elementary School Compares

See how Boulder Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
74th percentile in MT
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

PO Box 1346, Boulder, MT 59632

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Boulder Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Smith School (rated 8.7/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jefferson School (rated 8.2/10, 24.5 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Montana City School (rated 7.2/10, 22.8 miles away, in nearby Clancy), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Boulder, see our Boulder schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Boulder 7-8 Boulder 0.0 mi 7.9
Jefferson High School Boulder 0.2 mi 7.5
Basin School Basin 7.3 mi
Clancy 7-8 Clancy 17.1 mi 5.3
Clancy School Clancy 17.1 mi 5.7
Montana City School Clancy 22.8 mi 7.2
Montana City Middle Schl Clancy 22.8 mi 7.3
MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena 24.5 mi
Whitehall 6-8 Whitehall 25.0 mi 4.4
Whitehall Elementary Whitehall 25.0 mi 6.7
Whitehall High School Whitehall 25.0 mi 4.3
INTERMOUNTAIN Helena 24.4 mi
Jefferson School Helena 24.5 mi 8.2
Hawthorne School Helena 24.9 mi 4.5
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena 25.4 mi 6.2
C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena 25.4 mi 5.5
Smith School Helena 25.0 mi 8.7
Helena Middle School Helena 25.3 mi 5.6
BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena 25.5 mi
Helena High School Helena 25.3 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59632 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,770

Median Home Value

$260,600

Median Rent

$691/mo

Population

2,535

College Educated

28.7%

Homeownership

77.8%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

43.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Boulder Elementary School has a median household income of $62,770. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,600, with a median rent of $691/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Marion School Marion, MT 7.2
Monforton Primary Bozeman, MT 7.2
Southside School Wolf Point, MT 7.3
Vaughn School Vaughn, MT 7.3
Anna Jeffries Elementary Cut Bank, MT 7.0
Joliet School Joliet, MT 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Boulder Elementary School

What grades does Boulder Elementary School serve?

Boulder Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Boulder Elementary School?

Boulder Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 166 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Boulder Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Boulder Elementary School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Boulder Elementary School rank in MT?

Boulder Elementary School is ranked #160 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Boulder Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Boulder Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Boulder Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Boulder Elementary School has 42.8% math proficiency and 56.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Boulder Elementary School a charter school?

No, Boulder Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Boulder Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Boulder Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Boulder Elementary School?

62.7% of students at Boulder Elementary 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

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,304/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
166
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Jefferson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Boulder Elem
District Enrollment
219
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,697
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

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