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Excellent

#39 of 603 schools in MT

Top 6% in state

Lima School

Elementary School · Lima K-12 Schools

PO Box 186, Lima, MT 59739

Enrollment

37

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

8.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#39 of 603

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Lima School

8.7/10

Elementary School in Lima · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lima High School

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Lima 7-8

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Lima School

Lima School is a public elementary school in Lima, MT, part of Lima K-12 Schools. Lima School serves approximately 37 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Lima School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #39 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Lima School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.2 pts above MT schools
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 37 students, Lima 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.

At 9.2:1 students to teachers, Lima School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Lima 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 Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,467
Chronic Absenteeism24.3%

Lima School — Students at Lima School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

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 38.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 25 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
49.5%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2014
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2017
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
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: 8.3/10.

How Lima School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.7/10
94th percentile in MT
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.3%

Location

PO Box 186, Lima, MT 59739

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lima School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CLARK COUNTY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 36.6 miles away, in nearby Dubois), a more accessible option. Additionally, LINDY ROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 36.8 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 5.2
LINDY ROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dubois 36.8 mi 4.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cardwell School Cardwell, MT 8.4
LaMotte School Bozeman, MT 9.0
Geraldine Elementary Geraldine, MT 8.1
Medicine Lake School Medicine Lake, MT 8.1
Lustre School Frazer, MT 9.3
Moore School Moore, MT 9.4

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 ranks #39 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Lima School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lima School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Lima School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lima School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.3%

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

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