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Excellent

#18 of 603 schools in MT

Top 3% in state

Fort Benton School

Elementary School · Fort Benton Elem

PO Box 399, Fort Benton, MT 59442

Enrollment

179

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#18 of 603

In Fort Benton

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Fort Benton Elem

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Fort Benton School

9.0/10

Elementary School in Fort Benton · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fort Benton 7-8

8.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Fort Benton High School

4.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Fort Benton School

Fort Benton School is a public elementary school in Fort Benton, MT, part of Fort Benton Elem. Fort Benton School serves approximately 179 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Fort Benton School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #18 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Fort Benton School show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.5 pts above MT schools
  • This school 9.0 · Excellent
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 179 students, Fort Benton School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Fort Benton School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency70% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+30.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
Resources & Environment6.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,145
Chronic Absenteeism27.9%

Fort Benton School — Students at Fort Benton School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 76.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
67%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Fort Benton School Compares

See how Fort Benton School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
97th percentile in MT
Academic
9.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
6.2/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.9%

Location

PO Box 399, Fort Benton, MT 59442

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fort Benton School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Highwood School (rated 9.2/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Highwood), with a very similar rating. Another option is Belt School (rated 8.8/10, 32.0 miles away, in nearby Belt), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Geraldine Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 23.9 miles away, in nearby Geraldine), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Fort Benton, see our Fort Benton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

17 within 36.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Fort Benton 7-8 Fort Benton 0.3 mi 8.9
Fort Benton High School Fort Benton 0.3 mi 4.8
Highwood School Highwood 17.2 mi 9.2
Highwood High School Highwood 17.2 mi 7.2
Highwood Middle School Highwood 17.2 mi
Carter School Carter 13.6 mi
Geraldine Elementary Geraldine 23.9 mi 8.1
Geraldine High School Geraldine 23.9 mi
Geraldine Middle School Geraldine 23.9 mi
Belt School Belt 32.0 mi 8.8
Pleasant Valley School Belt 32.0 mi
Belt 7-8 Belt 32.0 mi 8.9
Belt High School Belt 32.0 mi 7.4
Hill Top Colony School Sand Coulee 35.7 mi
Centerville School Sand Coulee 36.9 mi 5.1
Centerville 6-8 Sand Coulee 36.9 mi 7.2
Centerville High School Sand Coulee 36.9 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59442 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,024

Median Home Value

$209,600

Median Rent

$690/mo

Population

1,777

College Educated

27.9%

Homeownership

75.4%

Poverty Rate

2.8%

Median Age

44.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Anderson School Bozeman, MT 9.1
Highland Park School Miles City, MT 8.9
Jefferson School Helena, MT 8.9
Belt School Belt, MT 8.8
Fairfield Elementary School Fairfield, MT 8.8
Hillcrest School Harlowton, MT 9.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fort Benton School

What grades does Fort Benton School serve?

Fort Benton School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Fort Benton School?

Fort Benton School has an enrollment of approximately 179 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Benton School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fort Benton School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fort Benton School rank in MT?

Fort Benton School ranks #18 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Fort Benton School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort Benton School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Fort Benton School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fort Benton School has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Fort Benton School a charter school?

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

Is Fort Benton School a Title I school?

No, Fort Benton School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort Benton School?

51.4% of students at Fort Benton 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

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
68 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
179
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Chouteau County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.9%

District

Fort Benton Elem
District Enrollment
234
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,145
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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