Average
#290 of 603 schools in MT
Top 48% in state
Darby School
Elementary School · Darby K-12 Schools
209 School Drive, Darby, MT 59829
Enrollment
175
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
175
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Darby
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#164 of 319
In district
#3 of 3
Darby K-12 Schools
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Darby School
Darby School is a charming elementary school located in the rural town of Darby, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, Darby School has an enrollment of 175 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their craft, the school focuses on nurturing young minds in a supportive community setting.
While Darby School's MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10 and its state ranking places it at number 421 out of 605 schools in Montana (31st percentile), these metrics highlight areas where the school can improve, particularly in academic performance. Currently, only 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 30% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite these challenges, Darby School remains committed to student development and providing a solid educational foundation for its rural community.
Darby School's setting in the heart of Montana’s natural beauty offers unique opportunities for outdoor learning and connecting with nature. The school is an integral part of this tight-knit rural community, where everyone knows each other and works together to support students' growth and well-being.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 175 students, Darby 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.
Located in a rural area, Darby 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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Data not available for this school
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Darby School — Students at Darby School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.7%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Darby School Compares
See how Darby School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
209 School Drive, Darby, MT 59829
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Darby School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Daly School (rated 7.9/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Hamilton), which scores notably higher. Another option is PINES ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Pinesdale), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Washington School (rated 6.2/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Hamilton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Darby, see our Darby schools guide .
Nearby Schools
19 within 33.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Darby 7-8 Darby | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Darby High School Darby | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| HAMILTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hamilton | 12.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Daly School Hamilton | 14.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Hamilton Middle School Hamilton | 15.1 mi | 5.7 |
| BLODGETT VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hamilton | 15.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Washington School Hamilton | 15.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Hamilton High School Hamilton | 15.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Quentin Brown Primary K-4 Corvallis | 20.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Corvallis High School Corvallis | 20.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Edna Thomas School Corvallis | 20.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Corvallis 7-8 Corvallis | 20.3 mi | 5.7 |
| PINES ACADEMY Pinesdale | 21.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Victor School Victor | 26.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Victor High School Victor | 26.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Victor Middle School Victor | 26.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Stevensville 7-8 Stevensville | 33.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Stevensville K-6 Stevensville | 33.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Stevensville High School Stevensville | 33.4 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59829 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,996
Median Home Value
$400,900
Median Rent
$963/mo
Population
2,338
College Educated
24.9%
Homeownership
76.2%
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
59
Community Profile
The community surrounding Darby School has a median household income of $63,996. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $400,900, with a median rent of $963/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lodge Grass School Lodge Grass, MT | 6.3 |
| Longfellow School Baker, MT | 6.6 |
| W F Morrison School Troy, MT | 6.6 |
| Bridger Elementary School Bridger, MT | 6.2 |
| Eastgate School East Helena, MT | 6.2 |
| Fort Benton School Fort Benton, MT | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Darby School
What grades does Darby School serve?
Darby School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Darby School?
Darby School has an enrollment of approximately 175 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Darby School?
The student-teacher ratio at Darby School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Darby School rank in MT?
Darby School is ranked #290 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Darby School's MySchoolScout rating?
Darby School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Darby School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Darby School has 30.3% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Darby School a charter school?
No, Darby School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Darby School a Title I school?
No, Darby School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Darby School?
97.7% of students at Darby 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
- County Safety
- Average (661/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 175
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Ravalli County
- Phone
- (406) 821-3643
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Darby K-12 Schools- District Enrollment
- 337
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,285
- District Rank
- #3 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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