Excellent
#55 of 603 schools in MT
Top 9% in state
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Sidney Elem
200 3rd Ave SE, Sidney, MT 59270
Enrollment
256
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
256
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sidney
#1 of 5
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#41 of 319
In district
#1 of 3
Sidney Elem
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Sidney, MT, part of the Sidney Elem. The school serves approximately 256 students in grades 3rd – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 91st percentile among MT schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 42% proficiency in math and 46% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $68,031, where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote town setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 50% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 48% (2022).
Location
200 3rd Ave SE, Sidney, MT 59270
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bainville School (rated 8.6/10, 29.6 miles away, in nearby Bainville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is West Side Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Fairview School (rated 6.9/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Fairview), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sidney, see our Sidney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sidney | 0.3 mi | — |
| Sidney Middle School Sidney | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Sidney High School Sidney | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| West Side Elementary Sidney | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Rau School Sidney | 3.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Brorson School Sidney | 7.9 mi | — |
| Fairview School Fairview | 10.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Fairview 6-8 Fairview | 10.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Fairview High School Fairview | 10.7 mi | 5.7 |
| EAST FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairview | 11.3 mi | 6.1 |
| YELLOWSTONE VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fairview | 11.3 mi | 3.7 |
| HORSE CREEK SCHOOL Cartwright | 11.8 mi | — |
| Savage School Savage | 20.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Savage 7-8 Savage | 20.1 mi | — |
| Savage High School Savage | 20.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Bainville School Bainville | 29.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Bainville High School Bainville | 29.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Bainville 7-8 Bainville | 29.6 mi | — |
| Lambert School Lambert | 21.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Lambert 7-8 Lambert | 21.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59270 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,031
Median Home Value
$260,600
Median Rent
$876/mo
Population
8,844
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
68.5%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Median Age
38.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $68,031. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,600, with a median rent of $876/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Jefferson School Helena, MT | 8.2 |
| Arlee Elementary Arlee, MT | 8.1 |
| Hellgate Elem Lower Grades Missoula, MT | 8.1 |
| Lowell School Missoula, MT | 8.1 |
| Fred Moodry Intermediate Anaconda, MT | 8.0 |
| Frenchtown Intermediate School Frenchtown, MT | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary
What grades does Central Elementary serve?
Central Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 256 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary rank in MT?
Central Elementary is ranked #55 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 42.3% math proficiency and 46.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elementary a charter school?
No, Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary?
42.6% of students at Central Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sidney). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 256
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (406) 433-4080
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sidney Elem- District Enrollment
- 852
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,008
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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