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Very Good

#181 of 603 schools in MT

Top 30% in state

Margaret Leary School

Elementary School · Butte Elem

111 North Montana, Butte, MT 59701

Enrollment

361

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Butte

#2 of 8

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#102 of 319

In district

#2 of 7

Butte Elem

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Margaret Leary School

Margaret Leary School serves 361 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Butte, Montana, providing a solid elementary education with a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1 across 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #111 out of 605 Montana elementary schools and placing in the 82nd percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. Academically, Margaret Leary School demonstrates strong student achievement with 55% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 56% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics.

These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality instruction across core subject areas. The school serves families in the 59701 zip code area, where the median household income is $55,818 and median home values average $191,500. About 27% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 16.3%.

Margaret Leary School is situated in Butte, a remote Montana town in Silver Bow County with a population of approximately 33,990, offering students an education within a close-knit mountain community setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55%
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+30.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,930

Margaret Leary School — Students at Margaret Leary School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

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 48.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
53%
ELA
59%
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: 7.2/10.

How Margaret Leary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in MT
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

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. Twin Bridges School (rated 9.2/10, 30.1 miles away, in nearby Twin Bridges), which scores notably higher. Another option is Emerson School (rated 7.3/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Kennedy School (rated 6.8/10, 4.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 7.3
Whittier School Butte 2.3 mi 4.0
BUTTE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Butte 2.7 mi 5.6
Hillcrest School Butte 2.3 mi 6.1
HIGHLAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Butte 2.8 mi
East Middle School Butte 2.9 mi 4.6
Butte High School Butte 3.3 mi 4.4
West Elementary School Butte 3.4 mi 6.3
BUTTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Butte 3.6 mi 7.5
Kennedy School Butte 4.4 mi 6.8
Ramsay School Ramsay 8.5 mi 5.9
Ramsay Middle School Ramsay 8.5 mi 5.4
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 4.4
Whitehall Elementary Whitehall 21.2 mi 6.7
Whitehall High School Whitehall 21.2 mi 4.3
Twin Bridges School Twin Bridges 30.1 mi 9.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Margaret Leary School has a median household income of $56,799. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,200, with a median rent of $811/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bryant School Helena, MT 7.1
Elysian School Billings, MT 7.1
Giant Springs Elementary Great Falls, MT 7.1
Lincoln Primary Anaconda, MT 7.1
Loy School Great Falls, MT 7.1
Poplar School Poplar, MT 7.1

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 is ranked #181 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Margaret Leary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Margaret Leary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Margaret Leary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Margaret Leary School has 48.7% math proficiency and 52.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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