Fort Shaw Elem School

Fort Shaw Elementary School is a public elementary school in Simms, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With 106 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1, the school maintains small class sizes that allow for close attention to individual learners. Academically, Fort Shaw stands out sharply among its peers.

It ranks 5th out of 603 public schools statewide and outperforms 99% of Montana schools — a distinction that places it among the top five elementary schools in Montana out of 319. MySchoolScout rates it Exceptional, with a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, driven by a 9.5 academic score and a 9.7 growth score. That growth figure is particularly notable: it reflects how much students are advancing year over year, not just where they start.

For families in the Simms area, Fort Shaw is the top-ranked school among the three in town. Its combination of strong academic performance and high student growth makes it a standout option for parents prioritizing measurable outcomes. The low student-teacher ratio adds another practical advantage, giving students more direct access to instruction in the critical early grades.

With an enrollment of 106 students, Fort Shaw Elem 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 Shaw Elem 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.