Average
#215 of 603 schools in MT
Top 36% in state
Based on limited data
Hardin Primary
Elementary School · Hardin Elem
401 Park Road, Hardin, MT 59034
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MT statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
304
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
304
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hardin
#2 of 5
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#124 of 319
In district
#2 of 4
Hardin Elem
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Hardin Primary
Hardin Primary serves students in prekindergarten through second grade with an enrollment of 304 students in Hardin, Montana. This regular public elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention during these crucial early learning years. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking #42 out of 605 schools statewide and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10, placing it in the 93rd percentile among Montana schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality early elementary education to young learners in Big Horn County. Located at 401 Park Road, Hardin Primary serves a community where the median household income is $55,893 and median home value is $162,700. The surrounding neighborhood has a college graduation rate of 28 percent, with about 19 percent of residents living below the poverty line.
The ZIP code area has a population of approximately 5,200 residents. Hardin Primary operates in a remote rural setting, providing essential early education services to families in this distinctive Montana community where students can develop foundational academic and social skills in a small-town environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Hardin Primary 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
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Hardin Primary Compares
See how Hardin Primary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
401 Park Road, Hardin, MT 59034
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hardin Primary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PRETTY EAGLE CTHLC SCHL (rated 8.3/10, 19.4 miles away, in nearby Saint Xavier), which scores notably higher. Another option is Custer School (rated 8.0/10, 27.5 miles away, in nearby Custer), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hardin Intermediate (rated 6.9/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hardin, see our Hardin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
13 within 33.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hardin Middle School Hardin | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Hardin Intermediate Hardin | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Hardin High School Hardin | 0.3 mi | 3.4 |
| BIG HORN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hardin | 1.0 mi | — |
| Crow Agency School Hardin | 11.4 mi | 6.6 |
| PRETTY EAGLE CTHLC SCHL Saint Xavier | 19.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Custer School Custer | 27.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Custer High School Custer | 27.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Custer 7-8 Custer | 27.5 mi | — |
| Lodge Grass School Lodge Grass | 30.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Lodge Grass 7-8 Lodge Grass | 30.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Lodge Grass High School Lodge Grass | 30.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Fort Smith School Hardin | 33.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59034 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,559
Median Home Value
$178,200
Median Rent
$723/mo
Population
4,972
College Educated
28.3%
Homeownership
61.6%
Poverty Rate
18.3%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hardin Primary has a median household income of $59,559. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,200, with a median rent of $723/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bonner School Bonner, MT | 6.9 |
| Hardin Intermediate Hardin, MT | 6.9 |
| Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood, MT | 6.9 |
| Morningside School Great Falls, MT | 6.9 |
| Orchard School Billings, MT | 6.9 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula, MT | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hardin Primary
What grades does Hardin Primary serve?
Hardin Primary serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.
How many students attend Hardin Primary?
Hardin Primary has an enrollment of approximately 304 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hardin Primary?
The student-teacher ratio at Hardin Primary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hardin Primary rank in MT?
Hardin Primary is ranked #215 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Hardin Primary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hardin Primary has a composite rating of 6.9 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.
Is Hardin Primary a charter school?
No, Hardin Primary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hardin Primary a Title I school?
No, Hardin Primary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hardin Primary?
100.0% of students at Hardin Primary 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (843/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hardin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 304
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Big Horn County
- Phone
- (406) 665-9340
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hardin Elem- District Enrollment
- 1,252
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,138
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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