Excellent

#16 of 603 schools in MT

Top 3% in state

Highwood School

Elementary School · Highwood K-12

160 West Street South, Highwood, MT 59450

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#16 of 603

In Highwood

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Highwood K-12

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Elementary School in Highwood · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Highwood School

Highwood School is a public elementary school in Highwood, MT, part of Highwood K-12. Highwood School serves approximately 60 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Highwood School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #16 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Highwood School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2022) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2022).

How it compares2.7 pts above MT schools

9.2

This school 9.2 · Excellent
MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 60 students, Highwood School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Highwood School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress9.7Excellent50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data9

Annual Change-1.11 pts/yr

Data Period2014–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics9.3Excellent30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency49.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency60% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+16.6 pts

Adjusted Percentile90th

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio15:1

Per-Pupil Spending$17,778

Chronic Absenteeism25%

Highwood School — Students at Highwood School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.8% (multi-year average, 2014-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 74.7% (multi-year average, 2014-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 18 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2014

Math

69.5%

ELA

90%

2015

Math

74.5%

ELA

74.5%

2016

Math

69.5%

ELA

69.5%

2017

Math

69.5%

ELA

49.5%

2018

Math

69.5%

ELA

69.5%

2019

Math

69.5%

ELA

69.5%

2020*

Math

69.5%

ELA

90%

2021*

Math

69.5%

ELA

90%

2022

Math

49.5%

ELA

69.5%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Highwood School Compares

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

Overall Score

9.2/10

98th percentile in MT

Academic

9.3/10

Excellent

Growth

9.7/10

Excellent

Environment

7.9/10

Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

37%

Teaching Staff

15:1 student-teacher ratio

4 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

25.0%

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. Fort Benton School (rated 9.0/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Fort Benton), with a very similar rating. Another option is Belt School (rated 8.8/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Belt), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Loy School (rated 8.0/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Great Falls), a more accessible option. For more schools in Highwood, see our Highwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.7 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Highwood High School Highwood	0.0 mi	32	7.2
Highwood Middle School Highwood	0.0 mi	16	—
Belt School Belt	14.8 mi	195	8.8
Pleasant Valley School Belt	14.8 mi	25	—
Belt 7-8 Belt	14.8 mi	49	8.9
Belt High School Belt	14.8 mi	98	7.4
Carter School Carter	15.6 mi	2	—
Fort Benton School Fort Benton	17.2 mi	179	9.0
Fort Benton 7-8 Fort Benton	17.6 mi	55	8.9
Fort Benton High School Fort Benton	17.6 mi	111	4.8
Hill Top Colony School Sand Coulee	19.4 mi	22	—
Centerville School Sand Coulee	21.0 mi	124	5.1
Centerville 6-8 Sand Coulee	21.0 mi	66	7.2
Centerville High School Sand Coulee	21.0 mi	76	8.2
Loy School Great Falls	20.1 mi	405	8.0
Chief Joseph School Great Falls	20.5 mi	262	8.0
TREASURE STATE ACADEMY Great Falls	20.9 mi	47	5.5
Morningside School Great Falls	21.0 mi	204	4.9
Geyser School Geyser	26.7 mi	16	—
Geyser High School Geyser	26.7 mi	16	—

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

Median Age

37.3

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Greenfield School Fairfield, MT	62	9.2
Lustre School Frazer, MT	49	9.3
West Glacier School West Glacier, MT	73	9.3
Ulm School Ulm, MT	84	9.0
Jordan Elementary School Jordan, MT	83	8.9
Trinity School Canyon Creek, MT	41	9.5

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 ranks #16 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Highwood School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highwood School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Highwood School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highwood School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2022) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2022).

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.