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
Enrollment
179
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Fort Benton School — Students at Fort Benton School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.4%
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: 4.5/10.
How Fort Benton School Compares
See how Fort Benton School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (406) 622-3761
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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