Very Good
#194 of 603 schools in MT
Top 32% in state
Highwood School
Elementary School · Highwood K-12
160 West Street South, Highwood, MT 59450
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Highwood
#2 of 2
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#111 of 319
In district
#2 of 2
Highwood K-12
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Highwood School
Highwood School serves 60 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in the small rural community of Highwood, Montana. This elementary school maintains a favorable 15:1 student-teacher ratio with four full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #62 out of 605 Montana elementary schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 70% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance shows room for continued growth, with 50% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. Highwood School sits within Chouteau County's rural landscape, serving a close-knit community where the median household income is $60,250 and median home values reach $226,300.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 3.6%, and 37% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education. Located on West Street South, the school operates in Montana's expansive rural setting, where students experience the benefits of small-town education with strong community connections.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 60 students, Highwood 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, Highwood 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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Highwood School — Students at Highwood School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
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: 5.4/10.
How Highwood School Compares
See how Highwood School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 69.5% (2019) to 69.5% (2022).
Location
160 West Street South, Highwood, MT 59450
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highwood School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Loy School (rated 7.1/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Great Falls), with a very similar rating. Another option is Morningside School (rated 6.9/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Great Falls), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fort Benton School (rated 6.2/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Fort Benton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Highwood, see our Highwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 26.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highwood High School Highwood | 0.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Highwood Middle School Highwood | 0.0 mi | — |
| Belt School Belt | 14.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Pleasant Valley School Belt | 14.8 mi | — |
| Belt 7-8 Belt | 14.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Belt High School Belt | 14.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Carter School Carter | 15.6 mi | — |
| Fort Benton School Fort Benton | 17.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Fort Benton 7-8 Fort Benton | 17.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Fort Benton High School Fort Benton | 17.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Hill Top Colony School Sand Coulee | 19.4 mi | — |
| Centerville School Sand Coulee | 21.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Centerville 6-8 Sand Coulee | 21.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Centerville High School Sand Coulee | 21.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Loy School Great Falls | 20.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Chief Joseph School Great Falls | 20.5 mi | 5.3 |
| TREASURE STATE ACADEMY Great Falls | 20.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Morningside School Great Falls | 21.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Geyser School Geyser | 26.7 mi | — |
| Geyser High School Geyser | 26.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59450 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,417
Median Home Value
$247,600
Median Rent
$1,339/mo
Population
568
College Educated
37.8%
Homeownership
69.2%
Avg Commute
26.8 min
Poverty Rate
4%
Median Age
37.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highwood School has a median household income of $80,417. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,600, with a median rent of $1,339/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BOZEMAN SUMMIT SCHOOOL Bozeman, MT | 7.0 |
| Bissell School Whitefish, MT | 7.0 |
| Pioneer School Billings, MT | 6.9 |
| Potomac School Bonner, MT | 6.9 |
| ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Livingston, MT | 7.1 |
| Absarokee School Absarokee, MT | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highwood School
What grades does Highwood School serve?
Highwood School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highwood School?
Highwood School has an enrollment of approximately 60 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highwood School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highwood School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highwood School rank in MT?
Highwood School is ranked #194 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Highwood School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highwood School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Highwood School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highwood School has 62.8% math proficiency and 76.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highwood School a charter school?
No, Highwood School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highwood School a Title I school?
No, Highwood School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highwood School?
36.7% of students at Highwood 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 60
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Chouteau County
- Phone
- (406) 733-2081
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highwood K-12- District Enrollment
- 108
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,778
- 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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