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Average

#379 of 603 schools in MT

Lowell School

Elementary School · Missoula Elem

909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801

Enrollment

325

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

5.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#379 of 603

In Missoula

#21 of 24

public schools

In district

#11 of 12

Missoula Elem

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Lowell School

5.7/10

Elementary School in Missoula · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Missoula International School

7.9/10

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

Loyola Sacred Heart High School

6.8/10

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

About Lowell School

Lowell School is a public elementary school in Missoula, MT, part of Missoula Elem. Lowell School serves approximately 325 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Lowell School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #379 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Lowell School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 7.9
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Lowell School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,401
Chronic Absenteeism33.2%

Lowell School — Students at Lowell School score 42% 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

74.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 46.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.9% (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
72%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
47%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Lowell School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
37th percentile in MT
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
6.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lowell School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rattlesnake Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Paxson School (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lewis & Clark School (rated 8.6/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula 0.9 mi 7.9
LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula 1.3 mi 6.8
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula 1.4 mi 6.9
SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula 1.2 mi 6.9
Hellgate High School Missoula 1.4 mi 6.5
MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula 1.3 mi
Franklin School Missoula 1.6 mi 6.7
Paxson School Missoula 1.8 mi 8.6
Washington Middle School Missoula 2.1 mi 6.8
Sentinel High School Missoula 2.3 mi 5.8
Lewis & Clark School Missoula 2.5 mi 8.6
GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula 2.7 mi
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula 2.2 mi 6.8
Russell School Missoula 2.8 mi 7.6
CLARK FORK SCHOOL Missoula 2.1 mi
Rattlesnake Elementary School Missoula 2.1 mi 8.8
Porter Middle School Missoula 2.5 mi 5.6
BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula 3.1 mi 6.2
Hawthorne School Missoula 2.3 mi 8.5
Hellgate El Primary Grades Missoula 2.4 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,022

Median Home Value

$393,400

Median Rent

$1,086/mo

Population

31,127

College Educated

51.4%

Homeownership

40.8%

Avg Commute

15.2 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

31.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Burlington School Billings, MT 5.7
K William Harvey Elem Ronan, MT 5.7
Bigfork Elementary Bigfork, MT 5.8
O D Speer School Deer Lodge, MT 5.8
BUTTE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Butte, MT 5.6
Lincoln School Glendive, MT 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lowell School

What grades does Lowell School serve?

Lowell School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Lowell School?

Lowell School has an enrollment of approximately 325 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lowell School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lowell School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lowell School rank in MT?

Lowell School ranks #379 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Lowell School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lowell School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Lowell School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lowell School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Lowell School a charter school?

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

Is Lowell School a Title I school?

No, Lowell School is not currently a Title I school.

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

74.5% of students at Lowell 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
89 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
325
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Missoula County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

District

Missoula Elem
District Enrollment
5,177
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,401
District Rank
#11 of 12

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