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Average

#278 of 603 schools in MT

Top 46% in state

Margaret Leary School

Elementary School · Butte Elem

111 North Montana, Butte, MT 59701

Enrollment

361

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#278 of 603

In Butte

#4 of 8

public schools

In district

#4 of 7

Butte Elem

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Margaret Leary School

6.5/10

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

Silver Bow Montessori School

Nearby

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

Emerson School

5.2/10

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

About Margaret Leary School

Margaret Leary School is a public elementary school in Butte, MT, part of Butte Elem. Margaret Leary School serves approximately 361 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Margaret Leary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #278 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Margaret Leary School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Margaret Leary 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 Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency56% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+30.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,585
Chronic Absenteeism30.5%

Margaret Leary School — Students at Margaret Leary School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 61.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.2% (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
77%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
56%
ELA
63%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
59%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
59%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
56%
ELA
55%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Margaret Leary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in MT
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.5%

Location

111 North Montana, Butte, MT 59701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Margaret Leary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitehall Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 21.2 miles away, in nearby Whitehall), which scores notably higher. Another option is Twin Bridges School (rated 7.6/10, 30.1 miles away, in nearby Twin Bridges), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whittier School (rated 7.0/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Butte, see our Butte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 30.1 mi
School Distance Rating
SILVER BOW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Butte 0.6 mi
Emerson School Butte 2.3 mi 5.2
Whittier School Butte 2.3 mi 7.0
BUTTE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Butte 2.7 mi 5.6
Hillcrest School Butte 2.3 mi 6.8
HIGHLAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Butte 2.8 mi
East Middle School Butte 2.9 mi 5.1
Butte High School Butte 3.3 mi 4.6
West Elementary School Butte 3.4 mi 6.6
BUTTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Butte 3.6 mi 7.5
Kennedy School Butte 4.4 mi 4.6
Ramsay School Ramsay 8.5 mi 4.4
Ramsay Middle School Ramsay 8.5 mi 5.7
Divide School Divide 18.4 mi
Melrose School Melrose 24.2 mi
Basin School Basin 24.8 mi
Whitehall 6-8 Whitehall 21.2 mi 6.4
Whitehall Elementary Whitehall 21.2 mi 8.2
Whitehall High School Whitehall 21.2 mi 5.3
Twin Bridges School Twin Bridges 30.1 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,799

Median Home Value

$219,200

Median Rent

$811/mo

Population

34,245

College Educated

27.3%

Homeownership

69.6%

Avg Commute

16 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

40.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Highland School Billings, MT 6.5
Shelby Elementary School Shelby, MT 6.5
Big Timber School Big Timber, MT 6.6
Central Elementary Sidney, MT 6.4
Independent School Billings, MT 6.6
Poly Drive School Billings, MT 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Margaret Leary School

What grades does Margaret Leary School serve?

Margaret Leary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Margaret Leary School?

Margaret Leary School has an enrollment of approximately 361 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Margaret Leary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Margaret Leary School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Margaret Leary School rank in MT?

Margaret Leary School ranks #278 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Margaret Leary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Margaret Leary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Margaret Leary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Margaret Leary School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Margaret Leary School a charter school?

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

Is Margaret Leary School a Title I school?

No, Margaret Leary School is not currently a Title I school.

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

98.9% of students at Margaret Leary 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
4 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
16 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
361
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Silver Bow County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.5%

District

Butte Elem
District Enrollment
2,949
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,585
District Rank
#4 of 7

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