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
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Dodson School — Students at Dodson School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 9.4/10.
How Dodson School Compares
See how Dodson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 30% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (406) 383-4362
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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