Excellent
#61 of 603 schools in MT
Top 10% in state
Lima School
Elementary School · Lima K-12 Schools
PO Box 186, Lima, MT 59739
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Montana elementary schools
#45 of 319
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Lima School
Lima School serves 37 students in grades pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the remote rural community of Lima, Montana. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where each child receives individual attention. The school demonstrates strong overall academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking 54th out of 605 Montana schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 75% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math instruction provides opportunities for growth, with 25% of students currently meeting proficiency standards. Lima School serves a working-class rural community in Beaverhead County, where the median household income is $51,094 and median home values reach $171,300.
About one in five adults holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while 21.4% of families face economic challenges. The school operates in Montana's beautiful remote rural landscape, where the entire ZIP code population numbers just 281 residents, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere where the school serves as a central gathering place for families throughout the area.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 37 students, Lima 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Lima School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Lima 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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Data not available for this school
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Lima School — Students at Lima School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.7%
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
→ 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: 6.9/10.
How Lima School Compares
See how Lima School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 75% (2022).
Location
PO Box 186, Lima, MT 59739
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lima School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LINDY ROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 36.8 miles away, in nearby Dubois), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CLARK COUNTY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 36.6 miles away, in nearby Dubois), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lima, see our Lima schools guide .
Nearby Schools
5 within 34.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lima High School Lima | 0.0 mi | — |
| Lima 7-8 Lima | 0.0 mi | — |
| CLARK COUNTY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Dubois | 36.6 mi | 5.4 |
| LINDY ROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dubois | 36.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Grant School Dillon | 34.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59739 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,609
Median Home Value
$188,800
Population
303
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
94.9%
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Median Age
52.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lima School has a median household income of $54,609. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,800. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Custer School Custer, MT | 8.0 |
| Dayton School Dayton, MT | 8.0 |
| Dodson School Dodson, MT | 8.0 |
| Geraldine Elementary Geraldine, MT | 7.9 |
| Valley View School Polson, MT | 7.9 |
| Morin School Billings, MT | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lima School
What grades does Lima School serve?
Lima School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Lima School?
Lima School has an enrollment of approximately 37 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lima School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lima School is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lima School rank in MT?
Lima School is ranked #61 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Lima School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lima School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Lima School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lima School has 25.0% math proficiency and 58.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lima School a charter school?
No, Lima School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lima School a Title I school?
No, Lima School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lima School?
75.7% of students at Lima 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 – 6th
- Enrollment
- 37
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Beaverhead County
- Phone
- (406) 276-3571
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lima K-12 Schools- District Enrollment
- 61
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,467
- 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.
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