Below Average
#504 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
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
234
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Box Elder
#5 of 6
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#273 of 319
In district
#1 of 2
Box Elder Elem
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Box Elder School
Box Elder School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote rural area of Box Elder, Montana. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 234 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, the school ensures that each child receives individual attention from its 21 full-time equivalent teachers.
While Box Elder School’s academic performance currently sits at the lower end compared to other schools in Montana—holding a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranking 581st out of 605 schools—there is room for growth and development. The school aims to improve its proficiency rates, which stand at 22% for ELA/Reading and 14% for Math across all grade levels. Box Elder School's setting in a remote rural area offers students a unique community experience, fostering close relationships among families and educators.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Box Elder 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Box Elder School — Students at Box Elder School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 4.0/10.
How Box Elder School Compares
See how Box Elder School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2022).
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. North Star School (rated 7.9/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Rudyard), 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, F E Miley School (rated 5.3/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Big Sandy), which scores slightly 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 | 4.7 |
| Box Elder High School Box Elder | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Big Sandy High School Big Sandy | 10.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Big Sandy 7-8 Big Sandy | 10.7 mi | — |
| F E Miley School Big Sandy | 11.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Rocky Boy School Box Elder | 11.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Rocky Boy 7-8 Box Elder | 11.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Rocky Boy High School Box Elder | 11.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Havre Middle School Havre | 21.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Highland Park School Havre | 21.1 mi | 5.2 |
| North Star School Rudyard | 22.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Sunnyside School Havre | 21.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Havre High School Havre | 21.6 mi | 3.9 |
| ST JUDE THADDEUS SCHOOL Havre | 22.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Lincoln-McKinley School Havre | 22.4 mi | 4.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Box Elder School has a median household income of $45,345. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $67,800, with a median rent of $374/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Browning Elementary Browning, MT | 4.8 |
| Garfield School Miles City, MT | 4.8 |
| Ponderosa School Billings, MT | 4.7 |
| Belt School Belt, MT | 4.9 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell, MT | 4.9 |
| Whittier School Great Falls, MT | 4.9 |
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 is ranked #504 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Box Elder School's MySchoolScout rating?
Box Elder School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Box Elder School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Box Elder School has 13.8% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (996/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 352-3222
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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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