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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

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 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
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-32.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,646

Fairhaven Colony — Students at Fairhaven Colony score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

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

* 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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
38th percentile in MT
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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