Excellent
#59 of 603 schools in MT
Top 10% in state
Cardwell School
Elementary School · Cardwell Elem
80 Highway 359, Cardwell, MT 59721
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher
7.4:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher
7.4:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#59 of 603
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Cardwell School
Elementary School in Cardwell · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Whitehall 6-8
7.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Whitehall Elementary
7.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cardwell School
Cardwell School is a public elementary school in Cardwell, MT, part of Cardwell Elem. Cardwell School serves approximately 37 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 7.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Cardwell School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #59 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Cardwell School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 37 students, Cardwell School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 7.4:1 students to teachers, Cardwell School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Cardwell 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cardwell School — Students at Cardwell School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 24 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: 7.9/10.
How Cardwell School Compares
See how Cardwell School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
80 Highway 359, Cardwell, MT 59721
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cardwell School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitehall Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Whitehall), with a very similar rating. Another option is Sheridan Elementary Schl (rated 7.8/10, 30.1 miles away, in nearby Sheridan), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Twin Bridges School (rated 7.6/10, 28.3 miles away, in nearby Twin Bridges), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cardwell, see our Cardwell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 28.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Whitehall 6-8 Whitehall | 7.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Whitehall Elementary Whitehall | 7.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Whitehall High School Whitehall | 7.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Harrison School Harrison | 13.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Harrison High School Harrison | 13.5 mi | — |
| Harrison 7-8 Harrison | 13.5 mi | — |
| Willow Creek School Willow Creek | 14.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Willow Creek 7-8 Willow Creek | 14.9 mi | — |
| Willow Creek High School Willow Creek | 14.9 mi | — |
| Three Forks Elem School Three Forks | 19.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Three Forks 7-8 Three Forks | 19.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Three Forks High School Three Forks | 19.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Jefferson High School Boulder | 27.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Boulder Elementary School Boulder | 27.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Boulder 7-8 Boulder | 27.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Sheridan 7-8 Sheridan | 30.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Sheridan High School Sheridan | 30.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Sheridan Elementary Schl Sheridan | 30.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Twin Bridges School Twin Bridges | 28.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Twin Bridges High School Twin Bridges | 28.3 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59721 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,932
Median Home Value
$615,700
Median Rent
$896/mo
Population
519
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
74.4%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
48.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lima School Lima, MT | 8.7 |
| Geraldine Elementary Geraldine, MT | 8.1 |
| Medicine Lake School Medicine Lake, MT | 8.1 |
| Fromberg School Fromberg, MT | 7.9 |
| LaMotte School Bozeman, MT | 9.0 |
| Lustre School Frazer, MT | 9.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cardwell School
What grades does Cardwell School serve?
Cardwell School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Cardwell School?
Cardwell School has an enrollment of approximately 37 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardwell School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cardwell School is 7.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cardwell School rank in MT?
Cardwell School ranks #59 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Cardwell School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardwell School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Cardwell School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cardwell School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Cardwell School a charter school?
No, Cardwell School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cardwell School a Title I school?
No, Cardwell School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cardwell School?
56.8% of students at Cardwell 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 37
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Jefferson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.4%
- Phone
- (406) 287-3321
Resources & Links
District
Cardwell Elem- District Enrollment
- 37
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,225
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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