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#361 of 603 schools in MT

Lodge Pole School

Elementary School · Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls

PO Box 110, Hays, MT 59527

Enrollment

140

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#361 of 603

In Hays

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls

Academic growth

7.0 / 10

Very Good

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Lodge Pole School

5.9/10

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

Hays-lodge Pole High Sch

6.0/10

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

Hays-lodge Pole 7-8

7.0/10

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

About Lodge Pole School

Lodge Pole School is a public elementary school in Hays, MT, part of Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls. Lodge Pole School serves approximately 140 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Lodge Pole School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #361 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Lodge Pole School show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below MT schools
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 140 students, Lodge Pole 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.

Test scores at Lodge Pole School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Lodge Pole 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 Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,782
Chronic Absenteeism80%

Lodge Pole School — Students at Lodge Pole School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 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
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2010
Math
34.5%
ELA
74.5%
2011
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%
2012
Math
15%
ELA
54.5%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
17%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Lodge Pole School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in MT
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
6.8/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
80.0%

Location

PO Box 110, Hays, MT 59527

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lodge Pole School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dodson High School (rated 7.4/10, 34.2 miles away, in nearby Dodson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 (rated 7.0/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hays-Lodge Pole High Sch (rated 6.0/10), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hays, see our Hays schools guide .

Nearby Schools

8 within 34.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Hays-Lodge Pole High Sch Hays 0.0 mi 6.0
Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 Hays 0.0 mi 7.0
ST PAUL MISSION GRADE SCHOOL Hays 1.6 mi
WHITE CLAY IMMERSION SCHOOL Harlem 33.8 mi
Cleveland School Chinook 28.5 mi
Dodson School Dodson 34.2 mi 5.0
Dodson High School Dodson 34.2 mi 7.4
Dodson 7-8 Dodson 34.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59527 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,000

Median Home Value

$64,300

Median Rent

$550/mo

Population

1,114

College Educated

14.6%

Homeownership

54.9%

Poverty Rate

29.4%

Median Age

33.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bridger Elementary School Bridger, MT 5.9
Eastgate School East Helena, MT 5.9
Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell, MT 5.9
SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miles City, MT 5.9
Joliet School Joliet, MT 6.1
Shields Valley Elementary Clyde Park, MT 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lodge Pole School

What grades does Lodge Pole School serve?

Lodge Pole School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Lodge Pole School?

Lodge Pole School has an enrollment of approximately 140 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lodge Pole School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lodge Pole School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lodge Pole School rank in MT?

Lodge Pole School ranks #361 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Lodge Pole School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lodge Pole School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Lodge Pole School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lodge Pole School has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Lodge Pole School a charter school?

No, Lodge Pole School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lodge Pole School a Title I school?

No, Lodge Pole School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lodge Pole School?

100.0% of students at Lodge Pole 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.

9 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Blaine County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
80.0%

District

Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls
District Enrollment
266
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,782
District Rank
#3 of 3

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