Needs Improvement
#588 of 603 schools in MT
Harlem Elementary School
Elementary School · Harlem Elem
PO Box 339, Harlem, MT 59526
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harlem
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#309 of 319
In district
#2 of 2
Harlem Elem
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Harlem Elementary School
Harlem Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote rural area of Harlem, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school houses 364 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, each teacher manages a relatively manageable number of students, allowing for more personalized attention.
The academic performance at Harlem Elementary School currently ranks in the lower tier among Montana schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.7 out of 10. Specifically, only 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 27% are proficient or above in Math. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and improvement.
Harlem Elementary School is situated in a rural setting with limited access to urban resources but offers a close-knit community atmosphere for its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Harlem Elementary 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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Harlem Elementary School — Students at Harlem Elementary School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 1.8/10.
How Harlem Elementary School Compares
See how Harlem Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
PO Box 339, Harlem, MT 59526
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harlem Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Zurich School (rated 9.8/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Zurich), which scores notably higher. Another option is Turner School (rated 6.8/10, 28.1 miles away, in nearby Turner), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meadowlark School (rated 5.3/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby Chinook), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harlem, see our Harlem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
12 within 28.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harlem 7-8 Harlem | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Harlem High School Harlem | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| WHITE CLAY IMMERSION SCHOOL Harlem | 3.5 mi | — |
| North Harlem Elementary Harlem | 4.1 mi | — |
| Zurich School Zurich | 11.7 mi | 9.8 |
| Chinook 7-8 Chinook | 20.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Chinook High School Chinook | 20.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Cleveland School Chinook | 24.5 mi | — |
| Meadowlark School Chinook | 20.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Turner School Turner | 28.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Turner 7-8 Turner | 28.1 mi | — |
| Turner High School Turner | 28.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59526 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,741
Median Home Value
$85,400
Median Rent
$667/mo
Population
2,584
College Educated
20.9%
Homeownership
56%
Poverty Rate
26.6%
Median Age
27.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harlem Elementary School has a median household income of $60,741. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $85,400, with a median rent of $667/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bitterroot School Billings, MT | 3.6 |
| Jim Darcy School Helena, MT | 3.7 |
| Sunnyside School Havre, MT | 3.8 |
| Florence-Carlton El Schl Florence, MT | 3.9 |
| Rose Park School Billings, MT | 3.9 |
| Whittier School Butte, MT | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harlem Elementary School
What grades does Harlem Elementary School serve?
Harlem Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Harlem Elementary School?
Harlem Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harlem Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Harlem Elementary School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harlem Elementary School rank in MT?
Harlem Elementary School is ranked #588 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Harlem Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harlem Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Harlem Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harlem Elementary School has 27.0% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harlem Elementary School a charter school?
No, Harlem Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harlem Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Harlem Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harlem Elementary School?
100.0% of students at Harlem Elementary 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
- Low (172/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 364
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Blaine County
- Phone
- (406) 353-2258
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harlem Elem- District Enrollment
- 456
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,186
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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