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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,402

Custer School — Students at Custer School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.0/10
89th percentile in MT
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (484/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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