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
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Fairfield Elementary School — Students at Fairfield Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.1%
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: 2.8/10.
How Fairfield Elementary School Compares
See how Fairfield Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (406) 467-2425
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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