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Below Average

#525 of 603 schools in MT

Culbertson School

Elementary School · Culbertson Elem

Box 459, Culbertson, MT 59218

Enrollment

131

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#525 of 603

In Culbertson

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Culbertson Elem

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Culbertson School

4.4/10

Elementary School in Culbertson · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Culbertson Junior High

4.1/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Culbertson High School

6.1/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Culbertson School

Culbertson School is a public elementary school in Culbertson, MT, part of Culbertson Elem. Culbertson School serves approximately 131 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Culbertson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #525 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Culbertson School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.1 pts below MT schools
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 131 students, Culbertson 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.

Culbertson 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.

45% of students at Culbertson School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-14.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,251
Chronic Absenteeism45%

Culbertson School — Students at Culbertson School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 25 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
22%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
27%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Culbertson School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
13th percentile in MT
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.0%

Location

Box 459, Culbertson, MT 59218

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Culbertson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. West Side Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 34.1 miles away, in nearby Sidney), which scores notably higher. Another option is Medicine Lake School (rated 8.1/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Medicine Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bainville School (rated 7.3/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Bainville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Culbertson, see our Culbertson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 30.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Culbertson Junior High Culbertson 0.0 mi 4.1
Culbertson High School Culbertson 0.0 mi 6.1
Froid Elementary School Froid 13.1 mi 6.6
Froid 7-8 Froid 13.1 mi
Froid High School Froid 13.1 mi 5.5
Bainville School Bainville 13.6 mi 7.3
Bainville High School Bainville 13.6 mi 7.0
Bainville 7-8 Bainville 13.6 mi
Medicine Lake School Medicine Lake 24.6 mi 8.1
Medicine Lake High School Medicine Lake 24.6 mi
Medicine Lake 7-8 Medicine Lake 24.6 mi
Barbara Gilligan School Brockton 18.2 mi 5.5
Barbara Gilligan 7-8 Brockton 18.2 mi
Brockton High School Brockton 18.2 mi 7.2
Brorson School Sidney 27.5 mi
Lambert School Lambert 32.3 mi 3.3
Lambert 7-8 Lambert 32.3 mi
Lambert High School Lambert 32.3 mi 5.7
West Side Elementary Sidney 34.1 mi 8.8
Fairview School Fairview 30.0 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59218 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,368

Median Home Value

$256,600

Median Rent

$961/mo

Population

952

College Educated

29.5%

Homeownership

74.5%

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Median Age

41

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Pioneer School Billings, MT 4.4
Ramsay School Ramsay, MT 4.4
Smith Valley Primary Schl Kalispell, MT 4.4
Blue Creek School Billings, MT 4.5
Lincoln School Miles City, MT 4.3
Marion School Marion, MT 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Culbertson School

What grades does Culbertson School serve?

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

How many students attend Culbertson School?

Culbertson School has an enrollment of approximately 131 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Culbertson School?

The student-teacher ratio at Culbertson School is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Culbertson School rank in MT?

Culbertson School ranks #525 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Culbertson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Culbertson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Culbertson School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Culbertson School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Culbertson School a charter school?

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

Is Culbertson School a Title I school?

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

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

43.5% of students at Culbertson 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

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
131
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Roosevelt County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.0%

District

Culbertson Elem
District Enrollment
189
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,251
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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