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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+17.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,931

Highwood School — Students at Highwood School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

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 62.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 76.3%
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
69.5%
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: 5.4/10.

How Highwood School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
68th percentile in MT
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (476/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Highwood K-12
District Enrollment
108
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,778
District Rank
#2 of 2

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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