Average
#373 of 603 schools in MT
Fairhaven Colony
Elementary School · Ulm Elem
PO Box 189, Ulm, MT 59485
Enrollment
33
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
33
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ulm
#2 of 2
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#214 of 319
In district
#2 of 2
Ulm Elem
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Fairhaven Colony
Fairhaven Colony is a small rural elementary school in Ulm, Montana. With an enrollment of just 33 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. Fairhaven Colony has two full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
Academically, Fairhaven Colony is ranked in the lower tier with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.3 out of 10. The school’s proficiency rates show that only 10% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 17% meet the same criteria for Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to ensure continued growth and improvement.
Despite its small size and rural setting, Fairhaven Colony provides a close-knit community atmosphere. The school’s location offers a peaceful environment that can be beneficial for students' overall well-being and learning experience.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 33 students, Fairhaven Colony 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 Fairhaven Colony 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.
Located in a rural area, Fairhaven Colony 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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Fairhaven Colony — Students at Fairhaven Colony score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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
↑ 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 Fairhaven Colony Compares
See how Fairhaven Colony performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
PO Box 189, Ulm, MT 59485
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fairhaven Colony may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fort Shaw Elem School (rated 9.4/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Simms), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vaughn School (rated 7.3/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Vaughn), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ulm School (rated 6.5/10, 6.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ulm, see our Ulm schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ulm School Ulm | 6.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Ulm Junior High Ulm | 6.1 mi | — |
| Cascade School Cascade | 9.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Cascade 6-8 Cascade | 9.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Cascade High School Cascade | 9.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Vaughn School Vaughn | 11.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Vaughn 7-8 Vaughn | 11.4 mi | — |
| Cascade Colony School Simms | 9.3 mi | — |
| Fort Shaw Elem School Simms | 11.7 mi | 9.4 |
| ELK CREEK MENNONITE Fort Shaw | 14.1 mi | — |
| Hillcrest Colony Elementary Vaughn | 16.8 mi | — |
| Meadow Lark School Great Falls | 15.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Sun River Middle School Simms | 15.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Simms High School Simms | 15.3 mi | 6.7 |
| West Elementary Great Falls | 15.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Power School Power | 21.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Power 7-8 Power | 21.8 mi | — |
| Power High School Power | 21.8 mi | 9.1 |
| FAIRFIELD MENNONITE SCHOOL Fairfield | 18.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Valley View School Great Falls | 16.1 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59485 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,292
Median Home Value
$289,000
Median Rent
$2,200/mo
Population
767
College Educated
32.8%
Homeownership
91.6%
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fairhaven Colony has a median household income of $88,292. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,000, with a median rent of $2,200/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| Belfry School Belfry, MT | 5.9 |
| Bozeman Online Charter School Bozeman, MT | 6.0 |
| Roberts School Roberts, MT | 6.0 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Miles City, MT | 5.8 |
| Hinsdale School Hinsdale, MT | 6.2 |
| Rapelje School Rapelje, MT | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fairhaven Colony
What grades does Fairhaven Colony serve?
Fairhaven Colony serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Fairhaven Colony?
Fairhaven Colony has an enrollment of approximately 33 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairhaven Colony?
The student-teacher ratio at Fairhaven Colony is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fairhaven Colony rank in MT?
Fairhaven Colony is ranked #373 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Fairhaven Colony's MySchoolScout rating?
Fairhaven Colony has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Fairhaven Colony?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairhaven Colony has 16.7% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fairhaven Colony a charter school?
No, Fairhaven Colony is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fairhaven Colony a Title I school?
No, Fairhaven Colony is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (333/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 33
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cascade County
- Phone
- (406) 866-3313
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ulm Elem- District Enrollment
- 135
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,341
- 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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