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
Enrollment
361
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Margaret Leary School — Students at Margaret Leary School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Margaret Leary School Compares
See how Margaret Leary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 56% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 55% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (406) 533-2550
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Butte Elem- District Enrollment
- 2,949
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,585
- District Rank
- #2 of 7
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.
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