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Average

#451 of 603 schools in MT

Cascade School

Elementary School · Cascade Elem

PO Box 529, Cascade, MT 59421

Enrollment

137

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cascade

#3 of 3

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#243 of 319

In district

#2 of 2

Cascade Elem

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Cascade School

Cascade School serves 137 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in the rural community of Cascade, Montana. This elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 with 10 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students can receive individualized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking 97th out of 605 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 84th percentile among Montana schools.

Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 52% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics. The school's academic score of 8.3 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. Cascade School operates within a stable rural community where families enjoy a median household income of $69,563 and home values averaging $323,900.

The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.7%, with 30% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. This supportive community foundation contributes to the school's positive learning atmosphere. Located in Cascade County, the school serves as an educational cornerstone for this tight-knit rural community of approximately 2,025 residents, where families value both academic achievement and the benefits of small-town living.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 137 students, Cascade 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, Cascade 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 Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected+10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,460

Cascade School — Students at Cascade School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0%
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
67%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
52%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Cascade School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
25th percentile in MT
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO Box 529, Cascade, MT 59421

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cascade School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fort Shaw Elem School (rated 9.4/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Simms), which scores notably higher. Another option is Greenfield School (rated 8.6/10, 26.4 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vaughn School (rated 7.3/10, 21.2 miles away, in nearby Vaughn), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cascade, see our Cascade schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Cascade 6-8 Cascade 0.0 mi 6.1
Cascade High School Cascade 0.0 mi 7.2
Fairhaven Colony Ulm 9.8 mi 5.9
Cascade Colony School Simms 12.7 mi
Ulm School Ulm 14.6 mi 6.5
Ulm Junior High Ulm 14.6 mi
Fort Shaw Elem School Simms 17.3 mi 9.4
Sun River Middle School Simms 18.4 mi 7.5
Simms High School Simms 18.4 mi 6.7
ELK CREEK MENNONITE Fort Shaw 22.2 mi
Vaughn School Vaughn 21.2 mi 7.3
Vaughn 7-8 Vaughn 21.2 mi
FAIRFIELD MENNONITE SCHOOL Fairfield 24.3 mi 4.0
Greenfield School Fairfield 26.4 mi 8.6
Greenfield 7-8 Fairfield 26.4 mi
Hillcrest Colony Elementary Vaughn 26.6 mi
Grass Land Colony School Sand Coulee 20.1 mi
Meadow Lark School Great Falls 22.9 mi 5.4
Fairfield Elementary School Fairfield 26.9 mi 5.0
Fairfield 7-8 Fairfield 26.9 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59421 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,688

Median Home Value

$337,200

Median Rent

$1,014/mo

Population

2,039

College Educated

29.7%

Homeownership

85.7%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

12.4%

Median Age

51.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cascade School has a median household income of $71,688. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $337,200, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Creston School Kalispell, MT 5.3
F E Miley School Big Sandy, MT 5.3
Meadowlark School Chinook, MT 5.3
Broadview School Broadview, MT 5.2
Shields Valley Elementary Clyde Park, MT 5.2
Blue Creek School Billings, MT 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cascade School

What grades does Cascade School serve?

Cascade School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Cascade School?

Cascade School has an enrollment of approximately 137 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cascade School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cascade School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cascade School rank in MT?

Cascade School is ranked #451 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Cascade School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cascade School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Cascade School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cascade School has 58.7% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cascade School a charter school?

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

Is Cascade School a Title I school?

No, Cascade School is not currently a Title I school.

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

39.4% of students at Cascade 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 – 5th
Enrollment
137
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cascade County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cascade Elem
District Enrollment
200
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,864
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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