Average
#475 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
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hays
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#259 of 319
In district
#3 of 3
Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Lodge Pole School
Lodge Pole School is a small, rural elementary school located in Hays, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 140 students and employs 11 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.7:1. The school's remote setting offers a close-knit community where students receive personalized attention.
Lodge Pole School focuses on developing its students through a supportive educational environment. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of 580th out of 605 schools, the school is in the 4th percentile for academic performance across Montana. Currently, only 18% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 16% meet proficiency standards in Math.
Despite these challenges, Lodge Pole School continues to strive for improvement and offers a nurturing atmosphere that encourages student growth. The school is situated in a remote rural area where community ties are strong and the educational focus aligns closely with local needs and values.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 140 students, Lodge Pole 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.
Located in a rural area, Lodge Pole 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
Lodge Pole School — Students at Lodge Pole School score 14% 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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.5/10.
How Lodge Pole School Compares
See how Lodge Pole School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 17% (2022).
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 School (rated 8.0/10, 34.2 miles away, in nearby Dodson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dodson High School (rated 7.5/10, 34.2 miles away, in nearby Dodson), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 (rated 7.3/10), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.8 |
| Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 Hays | 0.0 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 8.0 |
| Dodson High School Dodson | 34.2 mi | 7.5 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lodge Pole School has a median household income of $58,000. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $64,300, with a median rent of $550/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.4%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln Elementary School Lincoln, MT | 5.1 |
| Broadus School Broadus, MT | 5.0 |
| Fairfield Elementary School Fairfield, MT | 5.0 |
| Meadowlark School Conrad, MT | 5.0 |
| Ophir Elementary School Big Sky, MT | 5.0 |
| Philipsburg School Philipsburg, MT | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #475 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Lodge Pole School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lodge Pole School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Lodge Pole School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lodge Pole School has 16.2% math proficiency and 17.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (172/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 673-3120
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls- District Enrollment
- 266
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,782
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.