Average
#305 of 603 schools in MT
Lame Deer School
Elementary School · Lame Deer Elem
Box 96, Lame Deer, MT 59043
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lame Deer
#1 of 3
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#169 of 319
In district
#1 of 2
Lame Deer Elem
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Lame Deer School
Lame Deer School is a public elementary school nestled in the remote rural area of Lame Deer, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 309 students and employs 25 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranked at #544 out of 605 schools statewide, the school is focusing on continuous improvement to better serve its community.
Academic performance currently shows that only 2% of students are proficient in both ELA/Reading and Math, indicating areas for growth. Despite these challenges, Lame Deer School remains dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment in its rural setting. The school’s location offers a unique backdrop rich with natural beauty and cultural heritage, making it an integral part of the community's fabric.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Lame Deer School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Lame Deer 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Lame Deer School — Students at Lame Deer School score 2% 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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Lame Deer School Compares
See how Lame Deer School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
Box 96, Lame Deer, MT 59043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lame Deer School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ashland School (rated 6.8/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Ashland), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pine Butte Elementary Sch (rated 5.4/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Colstrip), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lame Deer, see our Lame Deer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
11 within 19.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lame Deer High School Lame Deer | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Lame Deer 7-8 Lame Deer | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Frank Brattin Middle Schl Colstrip | 18.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Pine Butte Elementary Sch Colstrip | 20.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Colstrip High School Colstrip | 20.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Northern Cheyenne Tribal School Busby | 15.0 mi | — |
| Birney School Birney | 21.9 mi | — |
| COTTONWOOD SCHOOL Forsyth | 19.2 mi | — |
| ST LABRE HIGH SCHOOL Ashland | 18.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Ashland School Ashland | 19.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Ashland 7-8 Ashland | 19.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$31,958
Median Home Value
$114,500
Median Rent
$500/mo
Population
2,771
College Educated
9.7%
Homeownership
55.3%
Poverty Rate
47.6%
Median Age
21.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lame Deer School has a median household income of $31,958. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $114,500, with a median rent of $500/month. The area has a poverty rate of 47.6%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Monforton School Bozeman, MT | 6.3 |
| Kessler Elementary School Helena, MT | 6.2 |
| Lolo Elementary Lolo, MT | 6.2 |
| Roundup Elementary Roundup, MT | 6.2 |
| Thompson Falls Elem Schl Thompson Falls, MT | 6.2 |
| Huntley Project Elem K-6 Worden, MT | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lame Deer School
What grades does Lame Deer School serve?
Lame Deer School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Lame Deer School?
Lame Deer School has an enrollment of approximately 309 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lame Deer School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lame Deer 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 Lame Deer School rank in MT?
Lame Deer School is ranked #305 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Lame Deer School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lame Deer School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Lame Deer School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lame Deer School has 2.5% math proficiency and 2.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lame Deer School a charter school?
No, Lame Deer School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lame Deer School a Title I school?
No, Lame Deer School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lame Deer School?
100.0% of students at Lame Deer 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 (121/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 309
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Rosebud County
- Phone
- (406) 477-6305
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lame Deer Elem- District Enrollment
- 399
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,335
- District Rank
- #1 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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