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Average

#423 of 603 schools in MT

Box Elder School

Elementary School · Box Elder Elem

Box 205, Box Elder, MT 59521

Enrollment

234

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#423 of 603

In Box Elder

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Box Elder Elem

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Box Elder School

5.3/10

Elementary School in Box Elder · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Box Elder 7-8

4.6/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Box Elder High School

7.0/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Box Elder School

Box Elder School is a public elementary school in Box Elder, MT, part of Box Elder Elem. Box Elder School serves approximately 234 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Box Elder School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #423 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Box Elder School show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts below MT schools
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Box Elder School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Box Elder School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

76% of students at Box Elder School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,294
Chronic Absenteeism75.6%

Box Elder School — Students at Box Elder School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
17%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Box Elder School Compares

See how Box Elder School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
30th percentile in MT
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
6.1/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
75.6%

Location

Box 205, Box Elder, MT 59521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Box Elder School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. F E Miley School (rated 8.4/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Big Sandy), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JUDE THADDEUS SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 22.3 miles away, in nearby Havre), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lincoln-McKinley School (rated 7.8/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Havre), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Box Elder, see our Box Elder schools guide .

Nearby Schools

19 within 35.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Box Elder 7-8 Box Elder 0.0 mi 4.6
Box Elder High School Box Elder 0.0 mi 7.0
Big Sandy High School Big Sandy 10.7 mi 6.2
Big Sandy 7-8 Big Sandy 10.7 mi
F E Miley School Big Sandy 11.0 mi 8.4
Rocky Boy School Box Elder 11.1 mi 4.0
Rocky Boy 7-8 Box Elder 11.1 mi 4.3
Rocky Boy High School Box Elder 11.1 mi 3.8
Havre Middle School Havre 21.0 mi 6.0
Highland Park School Havre 21.1 mi 5.0
North Star School Rudyard 22.1 mi 6.4
Sunnyside School Havre 21.7 mi 5.2
Havre High School Havre 21.6 mi 5.0
ST JUDE THADDEUS SCHOOL Havre 22.3 mi 7.9
Lincoln-McKinley School Havre 22.4 mi 7.8
Cottonwood School Havre 32.0 mi
Bear Paw School Chinook 22.9 mi
Davey Elementary Havre 25.0 mi
Gildford Colony School Gildford 35.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,345

Median Home Value

$67,800

Median Rent

$374/mo

Population

3,616

College Educated

16.6%

Homeownership

41.4%

Poverty Rate

34.2%

Median Age

30.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Garfield School Miles City, MT 5.3
St Ignatius Elementary School St. Ignatius, MT 5.3
Cherry Valley School Polson, MT 5.2
Crow Agency School Hardin, MT 5.2
Fred Moodry Intermediate Anaconda, MT 5.2
Hardin Intermediate Hardin, MT 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Box Elder School

What grades does Box Elder School serve?

Box Elder School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Box Elder School?

Box Elder School has an enrollment of approximately 234 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Box Elder School?

The student-teacher ratio at Box Elder School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Box Elder School rank in MT?

Box Elder School ranks #423 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Box Elder School's MySchoolScout rating?

Box Elder School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Box Elder School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Box Elder School has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Box Elder School a charter school?

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

Is Box Elder School a Title I school?

No, Box Elder School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Box Elder School?

100.0% of students at Box Elder 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
234
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Hill County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
75.6%

District

Box Elder Elem
District Enrollment
292
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,294
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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