Average
#349 of 603 schools in MT
Fortine School
Elementary School · Fortine Elem
Box 96, Fortine, MT 59918
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Montana elementary schools
#197 of 319
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Fortine School
Fortine School is a small rural elementary school located in the remote area of Fortine, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 50 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's setting offers a close-knit community where educators focus on individual attention and personalized learning.
Fortine School currently ranks at #376 out of 605 schools in Montana, reflecting an overall MySchoolScout rating of 4.9/10 and an academic score of 4.6/10. While the school shows strengths in fostering a supportive environment, its proficiency rates in ELA/Reading (44%) and Math (24%) indicate areas where there is room for improvement. Despite these challenges, Fortine School continues to focus on student development and offers a nurturing atmosphere that caters to the unique needs of rural students.
Fortine School sits in a remote rural area, surrounded by natural beauty and small-town charm, providing its students with an intimate educational experience.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 50 students, Fortine 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, Fortine 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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Data not available for this school
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Fortine School — Students at Fortine School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
6%
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: 6.1/10.
How Fortine School Compares
See how Fortine School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
Box 96, Fortine, MT 59918
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fortine School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bissell School (rated 7.0/10, 34.1 miles away, in nearby Whitefish), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Eureka Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Eureka), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Fortine, see our Fortine schools guide .
Nearby Schools
9 within 34.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fortine 7-8 Fortine | 0.0 mi | — |
| Trego School Trego | 4.4 mi | — |
| Eureka Middle School 5-8 Eureka | 10.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Eureka Elementary School Eureka | 10.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Lincoln Co High School Eureka | 10.8 mi | 6.3 |
| CHRYSALIS SCHOOL Eureka | 16.3 mi | 8.5 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL Rexford | 20.2 mi | 2.8 |
| Bissell School Whitefish | 34.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Bissell 7-8 Whitefish | 34.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59918 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,500
Median Home Value
$286,500
Median Rent
$1,295/mo
Population
518
College Educated
31.3%
Homeownership
88.1%
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
48.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fortine School has a median household income of $65,500. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,500, with a median rent of $1,295/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% 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 |
|---|---|
| Bozeman Online Charter School Bozeman, MT | 6.0 |
| Power School Power, MT | 6.0 |
| Roberts School Roberts, MT | 6.0 |
| Belfry School Belfry, MT | 5.9 |
| EAST FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairview, MT | 6.1 |
| East Glacier Park School E. Glacier Park, MT | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fortine School
What grades does Fortine School serve?
Fortine School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Fortine School?
Fortine School has an enrollment of approximately 50 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fortine School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fortine School is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fortine School rank in MT?
Fortine School is ranked #349 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Fortine School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fortine School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Fortine School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fortine School has 24.5% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fortine School a charter school?
No, Fortine School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fortine School a Title I school?
No, Fortine School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fortine School?
6.0% of students at Fortine 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 (489/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 50
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 6.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Lincoln County
- Phone
- (406) 882-4531
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fortine Elem- District Enrollment
- 64
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,370
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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