Excellent
#69 of 603 schools in MT
Top 11% in state
Custer School
Elementary School · Custer K-12 Schools
Box 69, Custer, MT 59024
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
8.4:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
8.4:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Custer
#1 of 2
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#50 of 319
In district
#1 of 2
Custer K-12 Schools
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Custer School
Custer School is a small, rural elementary school located in Custer, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 42 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The five full-time equivalent teachers at Custer School provide dedicated support for academic and social development in this remote setting.
Custer School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks 222nd out of 605 schools in Montana, placing it near the middle of the state's rankings. The school’s academic performance shows that 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 32% are proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate areas for growth, they also highlight the dedicated work being done to support student development.
Custer School is situated in a remote rural area, where the close-knit community plays an integral role in students' education and well-being. The school’s setting offers unique opportunities for outdoor learning and strong connections between teachers, parents, and students.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 42 students, Custer 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1, Custer School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Custer 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 metricsView breakdown
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Custer School — Students at Custer School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.2%
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: 9.1/10.
How Custer School Compares
See how Custer School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 34.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 34.5% (2022).
Location
Box 69, Custer, MT 59024
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Custer School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hardin Intermediate (rated 6.9/10, 27.3 miles away, in nearby Hardin), a more accessible option. Another option is Hardin Primary (rated 6.9/10, 27.5 miles away, in nearby Hardin), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hysham School (rated 6.2/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Hysham), a more accessible option. For more schools in Custer, see our Custer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
13 within 36.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Custer High School Custer | 0.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Custer 7-8 Custer | 0.0 mi | — |
| Hysham School Hysham | 19.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Hysham High School Hysham | 19.3 mi | — |
| Hysham 7-8 Hysham | 19.3 mi | — |
| Hardin High School Hardin | 27.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Hardin Middle School Hardin | 27.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Hardin Intermediate Hardin | 27.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Hardin Primary Hardin | 27.5 mi | 6.9 |
| BIG HORN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hardin | 27.6 mi | — |
| Melstone School Melstone | 36.0 mi | — |
| Melstone Middle School Melstone | 36.0 mi | — |
| Melstone High School Melstone | 36.0 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59024 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,250
Median Home Value
$190,600
Median Rent
$406/mo
Population
295
College Educated
23.2%
Homeownership
72.3%
Poverty Rate
15.3%
Median Age
59.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Custer School has a median household income of $70,250. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,600, with a median rent of $406/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dayton School Dayton, MT | 8.0 |
| Dodson School Dodson, MT | 8.0 |
| Geraldine Elementary Geraldine, MT | 7.9 |
| Lima School Lima, MT | 8.1 |
| Valley View School Polson, MT | 7.9 |
| Arrow Creek Elem School Pryor, MT | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Custer School
What grades does Custer School serve?
Custer School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Custer School?
Custer School has an enrollment of approximately 42 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Custer School?
The student-teacher ratio at Custer School is 8.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Custer School rank in MT?
Custer School is ranked #69 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Custer School's MySchoolScout rating?
Custer School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Custer School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Custer School has 31.5% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Custer School a charter school?
No, Custer School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Custer School a Title I school?
No, Custer School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Custer School?
45.2% of students at Custer 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 42
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Yellowstone County
- Phone
- (406) 856-4117
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Custer K-12 Schools- District Enrollment
- 88
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,105
- 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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