Very Good

#137 of 603 schools in MT

Top 23% in state

Fort Shaw Elem School

Elementary School · Sun River Valley Elem

Box 380, Simms, MT 59477

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

106

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Enrollment

106

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#137 of 603

In Simms

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Sun River Valley Elem

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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About Fort Shaw Elem School

Fort Shaw Elem School is a public elementary school in Simms, MT, part of Sun River Valley Elem. Fort Shaw Elem School serves approximately 106 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Fort Shaw Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #137 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Fort Shaw Elem School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

What's said publicly about Fort Shaw Elem School

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Fort Shaw Elementary School is part of the Sun River Valley School District 1 . The district's mission is to provide a sound and comprehensive education, ensuring students are respectful, safe, and responsible while acquiring the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to become productive members of global society 1 . The district currently seeks bus drivers and substitute teachers, with inquiries directed to Dave Marzolf 1 . Activity and athletic physical forms for the 2025-26 school year are available online through the SRVS Forms section 1 .

Sources (1)

srvs.k12.mt.us

How it compares1.2 pts above MT schools

7.7

This school 7.7 · Very Good
MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 106 students, Fort Shaw Elem 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 Shaw Elem 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.

43% of students at Fort Shaw Elem School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress6.8Average50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-3.3 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics9.4Excellent30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency62% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency60% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+18.0 pts

Adjusted Percentile91th

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1

Per-Pupil Spending$15,579

Chronic Absenteeism43.4%

Fort Shaw Elem School — Students at Fort Shaw Elem School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 57.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 68.2% (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

77%

ELA

82%

2011

Math

82%

ELA

87%

2012

Math

77%

ELA

92%

2014

Math

69.5%

ELA

74.5%

2015

Math

54.5%

ELA

74.5%

2016

Math

34.5%

ELA

54.5%

2017

Math

34.5%

ELA

54.5%

2018

Math

34.5%

ELA

54.5%

2019

Math

34.5%

ELA

54.5%

2020*

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

2021*

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

2022

Math

62%

ELA

57%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Fort Shaw Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score

7.7/10

77th percentile in MT

Academic

9.4/10

Excellent

Growth

6.8/10

Average

Environment

7.5/10

Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

42%

Teaching Staff

11:1 student-teacher ratio

10 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

43.4%

Location

Box 380, Simms, MT 59477

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fort Shaw Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Greenfield School (rated 9.2/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ulm School (rated 9.0/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Ulm), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fairfield Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Simms, see our Simms schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Cascade Colony School Simms	4.9 mi	14	—
Sun River Middle School Simms	5.1 mi	55	6.8
Simms High School Simms	5.1 mi	101	7.4
FAIRFIELD MENNONITE SCHOOL Fairfield	7.1 mi	63	4.0
ELK CREEK MENNONITE Fort Shaw	6.8 mi	26	—
Greenfield School Fairfield	9.1 mi	62	9.2
Greenfield 7-8 Fairfield	9.1 mi	22	—
Fairfield Elementary School Fairfield	10.3 mi	168	8.8
Fairfield 7-8 Fairfield	10.3 mi	40	7.7
Fairfield High School Fairfield	10.3 mi	116	8.0
Fairhaven Colony Ulm	11.7 mi	33	2.0
Power School Power	15.6 mi	49	7.3
Power 7-8 Power	15.6 mi	15	—
Power High School Power	15.6 mi	35	8.9
Cascade School Cascade	17.3 mi	137	8.6
Cascade 6-8 Cascade	17.3 mi	63	7.9
Cascade High School Cascade	17.3 mi	110	7.6
Vaughn School Vaughn	13.2 mi	112	3.8
Vaughn 7-8 Vaughn	13.2 mi	19	—
Ulm School Ulm	15.5 mi	84	9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59477 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,938

Median Home Value

$193,900

Population

326

College Educated

28%

Homeownership

82.7%

Poverty Rate

Median Age

39.4

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
MIDDLE CREEK MONTESSORI Bozeman, MT	84	7.7
Sheridan Elementary Schl Sheridan, MT	145	7.8
West Yellowstone School West Yellowstone, MT	140	7.8
Ekalaka Elementary School Ekalaka, MT	77	7.6
Jefferson School Miles City, MT	99	7.6
Lincoln Elementary School Lincoln, MT	85	7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fort Shaw Elem School

What grades does Fort Shaw Elem School serve?

Fort Shaw Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Fort Shaw Elem School?

Fort Shaw Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 106 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Shaw Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fort Shaw Elem School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fort Shaw Elem School rank in MT?

Fort Shaw Elem School ranks #137 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Fort Shaw Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort Shaw Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Shaw Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fort Shaw Elem School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Fort Shaw Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Fort Shaw Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

41.5% of students at Fort Shaw Elem 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.