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Average

#317 of 603 schools in MT

Fort Benton School

Elementary School · Fort Benton Elem

PO Box 399, Fort Benton, MT 59442

Enrollment

179

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Benton

#2 of 3

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#177 of 319

In district

#2 of 2

Fort Benton Elem

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Fort Benton School

Fort Benton School serves 179 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 6th grade in the historic town of Fort Benton, Montana. This elementary school has earned recognition as one of the state's top performers, ranking 29th out of 605 Montana schools and earning a strong 8.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school demonstrates impressive academic achievement, with 72% of students scoring proficient or above in mathematics and 67% reaching proficiency in English language arts and reading.

These results place Fort Benton School in the 95th percentile statewide. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.8 to 1 and 13 full-time equivalent teachers, students receive attentive instruction in smaller classroom settings. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $68,194 and only 7.3% of families live in poverty.

About one-third of adults in the area hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education. Median home values of $185,900 suggest an affordable cost of living for families. Fort Benton School operates in Montana's remote rural landscape, where students experience the benefits of small-town education while achieving academic excellence that rivals schools in much larger communities across the state.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 179 students, Fort Benton 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, Fort Benton 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 Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+31.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,272

Fort Benton School — Students at Fort Benton School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

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 72.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
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
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: 4.5/10.

How Fort Benton School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
48th percentile in MT
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

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. Geraldine Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 23.9 miles away, in nearby Geraldine), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highwood School (rated 7.0/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Highwood), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Belt School (rated 4.9/10, 32.0 miles away, in nearby Belt), a more accessible option. 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 7.8
Fort Benton High School Fort Benton 0.3 mi 4.3
Highwood School Highwood 17.2 mi 7.0
Highwood High School Highwood 17.2 mi 8.9
Highwood Middle School Highwood 17.2 mi
Carter School Carter 13.6 mi
Geraldine Elementary Geraldine 23.9 mi 7.9
Geraldine High School Geraldine 23.9 mi
Geraldine Middle School Geraldine 23.9 mi
Belt School Belt 32.0 mi 4.9
Pleasant Valley School Belt 32.0 mi
Belt 7-8 Belt 32.0 mi 7.3
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 3.8
Centerville 6-8 Sand Coulee 36.9 mi 4.9
Centerville High School Sand Coulee 36.9 mi 8.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fort Benton School has a median household income of $68,024. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $209,600, with a median rent of $690/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% 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
Bridger Elementary School Bridger, MT 6.2
Eastgate School East Helena, MT 6.2
Kessler Elementary School Helena, MT 6.2
Park City School Park City, MT 6.2
Thompson Falls Elem Schl Thompson Falls, MT 6.2
WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish, MT 6.2

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 is ranked #317 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Fort Benton School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort Benton School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Fort Benton School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort Benton School has 72.0% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Average (476/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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