Average
#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
Enrollment
62
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Gardiner School — Students at Gardiner School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
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 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: 3.8/10.
How Gardiner School Compares
See how Gardiner School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (406) 848-7563
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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