Very Good
#92 of 603 schools in MT
Top 15% in state
Charlo Elementary
Elementary School · Charlo Elem
PO Box 10, Charlo, MT 59824
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charlo
#1 of 3
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#68 of 319
In district
#1 of 2
Charlo Elem
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Charlo Elementary
Charlo Elementary serves 99 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Montana's Lake County, maintaining an intimate learning environment with a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio across 8 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 27th out of 605 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 96th percentile with a strong 8.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, Charlo Elementary demonstrates solid performance with 64% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 54% meet or exceed standards in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 9.2 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence despite its small size and rural setting. The school serves a stable community where the median household income is $61,154 and median home values reach $267,100. With 24% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 11.2%, families in this ZIP code of 1,520 residents show a commitment to education and community stability.
Charlo Elementary offers students the advantages of small-class instruction and personalized attention in Montana's remote rural landscape, where the close-knit community atmosphere supports both academic achievement and individual student growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 99 students, Charlo Elementary 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, Charlo Elementary 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
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Charlo Elementary — Students at Charlo Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.6%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Charlo Elementary Compares
See how Charlo Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 64.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 10, Charlo, MT 59824
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Charlo Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Valley View School (rated 7.9/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Polson), with a very similar rating. Another option is St Ignatius Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby St. Ignatius), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cherry Valley School (rated 5.9/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Polson), a more accessible option. For more schools in Charlo, see our Charlo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charlo 6-8 Charlo | 0.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Charlo High School Charlo | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ronan | 6.9 mi | — |
| K William Harvey Elem Ronan | 7.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Ronan Middle School Ronan | 7.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Ronan High School Ronan | 7.2 mi | 4.2 |
| St Ignatius Elementary School St. Ignatius | 9.2 mi | 7.8 |
| St Ignatius High School St. Ignatius | 9.2 mi | 5.6 |
| St Ignatius Middle School St. Ignatius | 9.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Pablo Elementary Ronan | 11.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Two Eagle River School Pablo | 11.4 mi | — |
| 60281 HILLSIDE RD Saint Ignatius | 9.6 mi | — |
| PINEHAVEN CHRISTIAN CHILDRENS RANCH AND SCHOOL Saint Ignatius | 11.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Dixon 7-8 Dixon | 11.0 mi | — |
| Dixon Elementary Dixon | 11.0 mi | 3.4 |
| GLACIER LAKE SCHOOL Saint Ignatius | 11.3 mi | — |
| Valley View School Polson | 14.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Polson High School Polson | 16.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Polson Middle School Polson | 16.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Cherry Valley School Polson | 17.1 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59824 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,500
Median Home Value
$325,000
Median Rent
$822/mo
Population
1,453
College Educated
26.8%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.4%
Median Age
49.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Charlo Elementary has a median household income of $62,500. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $325,000, with a median rent of $822/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.4%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Chester-Joplin-Inverness Schl Chester, MT | 7.8 |
| MIDDLE CREEK MONTESSORI Bozeman, MT | 7.7 |
| North Star School Rudyard, MT | 7.9 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls, MT | 7.9 |
| ST JUDE THADDEUS SCHOOL Havre, MT | 7.9 |
| ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell, MT | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Charlo Elementary
What grades does Charlo Elementary serve?
Charlo Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Charlo Elementary?
Charlo Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Charlo Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Charlo Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Charlo Elementary rank in MT?
Charlo Elementary is ranked #92 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Charlo Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Charlo Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Charlo Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Charlo Elementary has 55.3% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Charlo Elementary a charter school?
No, Charlo Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Charlo Elementary a Title I school?
No, Charlo Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Charlo Elementary?
63.6% of students at Charlo 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 99
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (406) 644-2206
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charlo Elem- District Enrollment
- 158
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,292
- 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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