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Needs Improvement

#596 of 603 schools in MT

Harrison School

Elementary School · Harrison K-12 Schools

PO Box 7, Harrison, MT 59735

Enrollment

62

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Montana elementary schools

#314 of 319

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Harrison School

Harrison School is a small, rural elementary school nestled in the heart of Harrison, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school currently has an enrollment of 62 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of about 12 to 1. With five full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that is hard to match in larger settings.

Harrison School's academic performance reflects areas where there is room for growth, with the school ranking 385th out of 605 schools statewide, placing it in the 4th percentile. Test scores show that 36% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math. While these numbers indicate challenges, they also highlight opportunities for improvement and development.

The setting of Harrison School is truly unique, as it sits in a remote rural area where community ties run deep. The tight-knit nature of the town means that the school plays an integral role not just in education but also in fostering social connections and community spirit.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 62 students, Harrison 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, Harrison 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 Progress1.4Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-13.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-22.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,032

Harrison School — Students at Harrison School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.5%
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
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Harrison School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
1th percentile in MT
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
1.4/10
Below average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

PO Box 7, Harrison, MT 59735

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harrison School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cardwell School (rated 9.1/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Cardwell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ennis School (rated 8.8/10, 24.4 miles away, in nearby Ennis), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willow Creek School (rated 7.2/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Willow Creek), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harrison, see our Harrison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Harrison High School Harrison 0.0 mi
Harrison 7-8 Harrison 0.0 mi
Willow Creek School Willow Creek 10.9 mi 7.2
Willow Creek 7-8 Willow Creek 10.9 mi
Willow Creek High School Willow Creek 10.9 mi
Cardwell School Cardwell 13.5 mi 9.1
Three Forks Elem School Three Forks 17.8 mi 7.2
Three Forks 7-8 Three Forks 17.8 mi 4.1
Three Forks High School Three Forks 17.8 mi 5.1
Ennis 7-8 Ennis 24.4 mi 7.7
Ennis School Ennis 24.4 mi 8.8
Ennis High School Ennis 24.5 mi 6.1
Whitehall 6-8 Whitehall 19.3 mi 4.4
Whitehall Elementary Whitehall 19.3 mi 6.7
Whitehall High School Whitehall 19.3 mi 4.3
Amsterdam School Manhattan 22.7 mi 6.8
Sheridan Elementary Schl Sheridan 26.0 mi 5.9
Sheridan 7-8 Sheridan 25.9 mi 4.2
Sheridan High School Sheridan 25.9 mi 6.6
Manhattan Elem Manhattan 24.6 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59735 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,000

Median Home Value

$420,000

Median Rent

$1,536/mo

Population

391

College Educated

31.7%

Homeownership

78.9%

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

35.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harrison School has a median household income of $73,000. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $420,000, with a median rent of $1,536/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alberton Elementary Alberton, MT 3.4
Vida School Circle, MT 3.4
Nashua School Nashua, MT 3.6
YELLOWSTONE VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fairview, MT 3.7
Dutton/Brady Elementary Dutton, MT 4.3
Rau School Sidney, MT 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harrison School

What grades does Harrison School serve?

Harrison School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Harrison School?

Harrison School has an enrollment of approximately 62 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harrison School?

The student-teacher ratio at Harrison School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harrison School rank in MT?

Harrison School is ranked #596 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Harrison School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harrison School has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Harrison School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harrison School has 36.5% math proficiency and 36.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harrison School a charter school?

No, Harrison School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Harrison School a Title I school?

No, Harrison School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harrison School?

35.5% of students at Harrison 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (457/100K)

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
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Madison County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harrison K-12 Schools
District Enrollment
99
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,022
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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