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Average

#489 of 603 schools in MT

Fairfield Elementary School

Elementary School · Fairfield Elem

Box 399, Fairfield, MT 59436

Enrollment

168

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fairfield

#4 of 4

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#265 of 319

In district

#2 of 2

Fairfield Elem

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Fairfield Elementary School

Fairfield Elementary School serves 168 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the heart of Montana's Teton County. This small public school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3 to 1, supported by 11 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide personalized attention to each child. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking 71st among Montana's 605 elementary schools, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide.

Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 62% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, and 57% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence in a close-knit educational setting. The surrounding Fairfield community of 2,222 residents enjoys economic stability, with a median household income of $77,292 and median home values around $257,500.

About 27% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.9%. Fairfield Elementary operates in Montana's remote rural landscape, where students experience the unique advantages of small-town education surrounded by the state's distinctive natural beauty.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 168 students, Fairfield Elementary 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, Fairfield Elementary 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 Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+17.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,888

Fairfield Elementary School — Students at Fairfield Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
62%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Fairfield Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
19th percentile in MT
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

Box 399, Fairfield, MT 59436

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fairfield Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fort Shaw Elem School (rated 9.4/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Simms), which scores notably higher. Another option is Greenfield School (rated 8.6/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Power School (rated 6.0/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Power), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Fairfield, see our Fairfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Fairfield 7-8 Fairfield 0.0 mi 5.7
Fairfield High School Fairfield 0.0 mi 5.4
FAIRFIELD MENNONITE SCHOOL Fairfield 4.6 mi 4.0
Greenfield 7-8 Fairfield 5.6 mi
Greenfield School Fairfield 5.6 mi 8.6
Sun River Middle School Simms 8.9 mi 7.5
Simms High School Simms 8.9 mi 6.7
Fort Shaw Elem School Simms 10.3 mi 9.4
ELK CREEK MENNONITE Fort Shaw 10.9 mi
Cascade Colony School Simms 14.2 mi
Golden Ridge School Fairfield 12.2 mi
Choteau School Choteau 16.7 mi 5.9
Choteau 7-8 Choteau 16.8 mi 3.5
Choteau High School Choteau 16.8 mi 7.3
Power School Power 15.1 mi 6.0
Power 7-8 Power 15.1 mi
Power High School Power 15.1 mi 9.1
Dutton/Brady Elementary Dutton 20.3 mi 4.3
Dutton/Brady High School Dutton 20.3 mi 8.3
Dutton/Brady Middle School Dutton 20.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59436 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,047

Median Home Value

$271,700

Median Rent

$871/mo

Population

2,093

College Educated

26.5%

Homeownership

78.1%

Avg Commute

24.4 min

Poverty Rate

5.9%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fairfield Elementary School has a median household income of $78,047. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $271,700, with a median rent of $871/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Broadus School Broadus, MT 5.0
Meadowlark School Conrad, MT 5.0
Ophir Elementary School Big Sky, MT 5.0
Philipsburg School Philipsburg, MT 5.0
Belt School Belt, MT 4.9
Lodge Pole School Hays, MT 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fairfield Elementary School

What grades does Fairfield Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Fairfield Elementary School?

Fairfield Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 168 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairfield Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fairfield Elementary School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fairfield Elementary School rank in MT?

Fairfield Elementary School is ranked #489 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Fairfield Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fairfield Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Fairfield Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairfield Elementary School has 65.3% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fairfield Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Fairfield Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Fairfield Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

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

38.1% of students at Fairfield Elementary 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

County Safety
Elevated (747/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Teton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fairfield Elem
District Enrollment
208
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,850
District Rank
#2 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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