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Excellent

#70 of 603 schools in MT

Top 11% in state

Dodson School

Elementary School · Dodson K-12

Box 278, Dodson, MT 59524

Enrollment

41

Student-Teacher

6.8:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dodson

#1 of 2

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#51 of 319

In district

#1 of 2

Dodson K-12

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Dodson School

Dodson School is a small rural elementary school nestled in the remote setting of Dodson, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 41 students and offers a personalized learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1. With six full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students, Dodson School provides a supportive educational experience.

The academic performance at Dodson School is currently rated as needing improvement, with the school ranking 312th out of 605 schools in Montana and an overall MySchoolScout rating of 5.4/10. In terms of proficiency scores, only 17% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 10% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the school community remains committed to fostering student development and growth.

Dodson School is deeply rooted in its rural surroundings, where a strong sense of community supports both teachers and students alike. The setting offers a unique blend of natural beauty and close-knit social ties that enrich the learning experience for all involved.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 41 students, Dodson 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.

While current test scores at Dodson School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1, Dodson 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,341

Dodson School — Students at Dodson School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 16.7%
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
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Dodson School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
89th percentile in MT
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

Box 278, Dodson, MT 59524

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dodson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Malta K-5 (rated 8.5/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Malta), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Turner School (rated 6.8/10, 31.9 miles away, in nearby Turner), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lodge Pole School (rated 5.1/10, 34.2 miles away, in nearby Hays), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dodson, see our Dodson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

13 within 35.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Dodson High School Dodson 0.0 mi 7.5
Dodson 7-8 Dodson 0.0 mi
Malta 6-7-8 Malta 17.2 mi 7.6
Malta High School Malta 17.2 mi 4.0
Malta K-5 Malta 17.7 mi 8.5
Turner School Turner 31.9 mi 6.8
Turner 7-8 Turner 31.9 mi
Turner High School Turner 31.9 mi
Loring Colony School Malta 29.8 mi
Lodge Pole School Hays 34.2 mi 5.1
Hays-Lodge Pole High Sch Hays 34.2 mi 6.8
Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 Hays 34.2 mi 7.3
ST PAUL MISSION GRADE SCHOOL Hays 35.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59524 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,295

Median Home Value

$58,500

Median Rent

$517/mo

Population

875

College Educated

10.4%

Homeownership

76.3%

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

41.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dodson School has a median household income of $48,295. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $58,500, with a median rent of $517/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Custer School Custer, MT 8.0
Dayton School Dayton, 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 Dodson School

What grades does Dodson School serve?

Dodson School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Dodson School?

Dodson School has an enrollment of approximately 41 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dodson School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dodson School is 6.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dodson School rank in MT?

Dodson School is ranked #70 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Dodson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dodson 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 Dodson School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dodson School has 10.0% math proficiency and 16.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dodson School a charter school?

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

Is Dodson School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Dodson 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Phillips County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dodson K-12
District Enrollment
95
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,196
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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