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#365 of 603 schools in MT

Gardiner School

Elementary School · Gardiner Elem

510 Stone Street, Gardiner, MT 59030

Enrollment

62

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gardiner

#2 of 2

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#206 of 319

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Gardiner School

Gardiner School serves 62 students in grades PK through 6 in this small Montana community, offering an intimate learning environment with a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio and four full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition as one of Montana's higher-performing elementary schools, ranking #112 out of 605 schools statewide and placing in the 82nd percentile with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. Academically, Gardiner School demonstrates solid performance with 64% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while math scores show room for growth with 44% of students meeting proficiency standards.

The school's overall academic score of 8.6 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence in this close-knit setting. The surrounding community of 1,160 residents supports education, with 42% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 6.7%. Families typically earn a median household income of $50,821, and the area's median home value of $392,600 reflects the community's desirability.

Located on Stone Street in this remote rural area of Park County, Gardiner School provides personalized attention and small-class advantages that many families seek for their elementary-aged children.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 62 students, Gardiner 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, Gardiner 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 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,071

Gardiner School — Students at Gardiner School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Gardiner School Compares

See how Gardiner School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in MT
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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 8.1/10, 31.9 miles away, in nearby West Yellowstone), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arrowhead School (rated 7.4/10, 25.2 miles away, in nearby Pray), which scores notably higher. 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 6.9
Arrowhead School Pray 25.2 mi 7.4
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 8.1
West Yellowstone HS West Yellowstone 31.9 mi 3.2
West Yellowstone 6-8 West Yellowstone 31.9 mi 6.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gardiner School has a median household income of $49,519. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $539,900, with a median rent of $724/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Glacier Park School E. Glacier Park, MT 5.9
Hobson School Hobson, MT 5.9
Fortine School Fortine, MT 6.0
Power School Power, MT 6.0
Roberts School Roberts, MT 6.0
Ekalaka Elementary School Ekalaka, MT 5.8

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 is ranked #365 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Gardiner School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gardiner School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Gardiner School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gardiner School has 54.5% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

10 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (280/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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