Excellent
#73 of 603 schools in MT
Top 12% in state
Gardiner School
Elementary School · Gardiner Elem
510 Stone Street, Gardiner, MT 59030
Enrollment
62
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
62
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#73 of 603
In Gardiner
#1 of 2
public schools
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Excellent
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Gardiner School
Elementary School in Gardiner · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gardiner 7-8
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Gardiner High School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gardiner School
Gardiner School is a public elementary school in Gardiner, MT, part of Gardiner Elem. Gardiner School serves approximately 62 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Gardiner School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #73 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Gardiner School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 62 students, Gardiner 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.
Gardiner 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.
37% of students at Gardiner 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gardiner School — Students at Gardiner School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 8.5/10.
How Gardiner School Compares
See how Gardiner School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
510 Stone Street, Gardiner, MT 59030
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gardiner School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. West Yellowstone School (rated 7.8/10, 31.9 miles away, in nearby West Yellowstone), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Arrowhead School (rated 5.4/10, 25.2 miles away, in nearby Pray), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gardiner, see our Gardiner schools guide .
Nearby Schools
9 within 31.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gardiner 7-8 Gardiner | 0.0 mi | — |
| Gardiner High School Gardiner | 0.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Arrowhead School Pray | 25.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Arrowhead 7-8 Pray | 25.2 mi | — |
| Pine Creek 6-8 Livingston | 34.4 mi | — |
| Pine Creek School Livingston | 34.4 mi | — |
| West Yellowstone School West Yellowstone | 31.9 mi | 7.8 |
| West Yellowstone HS West Yellowstone | 31.9 mi | 4.2 |
| West Yellowstone 6-8 West Yellowstone | 31.9 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,519
Median Home Value
$539,900
Median Rent
$724/mo
Population
1,181
College Educated
46.4%
Homeownership
48.8%
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
50.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bissell School Whitefish, MT | 8.1 |
| Geraldine Elementary Geraldine, MT | 8.1 |
| Hobson School Hobson, MT | 8.1 |
| Medicine Lake School Medicine Lake, MT | 8.1 |
| Rau School Sidney, MT | 8.4 |
| Fromberg School Fromberg, MT | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gardiner School
What grades does Gardiner School serve?
Gardiner School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Gardiner School?
Gardiner School has an enrollment of approximately 62 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gardiner School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gardiner School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gardiner School rank in MT?
Gardiner School ranks #73 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Gardiner School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardiner School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Gardiner School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gardiner School has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Gardiner School a charter school?
No, Gardiner School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gardiner School a Title I school?
No, Gardiner School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gardiner School?
32.3% of students at Gardiner 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 62
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Park County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.1%
- Phone
- (406) 848-7563
Resources & Links
District
Gardiner Elem- District Enrollment
- 89
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,099
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
Other Schools in This District
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