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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+18.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,322

Lima School — Students at Lima School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
75%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.1/10
90th percentile in MT
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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.

6 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (313/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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