Skip to main content

Average

#452 of 603 schools in MT

Meadowlark School

Elementary School · Chinook Elem

Box 1059, Chinook, MT 59523

Enrollment

149

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chinook

#2 of 3

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#244 of 319

In district

#1 of 2

Chinook Elem

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Meadowlark School

Meadowlark School is a public elementary school nestled in the remote rural area of Chinook, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, Meadowlark has an enrollment of 149 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size and isolated location, the school community is tight-knit, fostering a supportive environment for learning.

Meadowlark School's MySchoolScout rating is 4.7 out of 10, placing it at number 406 in Montana among 605 schools, which corresponds to the 33rd percentile state-wide. The school’s academic score is 3.5 out of 10, indicating that there is room for improvement in areas such as reading and math proficiency, with only 30% of students meeting or exceeding standards in ELA/Reading and 32% doing so in Math. Meadowlark School stands out not just by its academic metrics but by the nurturing atmosphere it provides.

Located in a remote rural setting, the school is an integral part of the community, offering educational programs tailored to meet the needs of local students while focusing on their overall development and well-being.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 149 students, Meadowlark 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, Meadowlark 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 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,692

Meadowlark School — Students at Meadowlark School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
27%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Meadowlark School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
25th percentile in MT
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

Box 1059, Chinook, MT 59523

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Meadowlark School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Zurich School (rated 9.8/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Zurich), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JUDE THADDEUS SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 20.2 miles away, in nearby Havre), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Highland Park School (rated 5.2/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby Havre), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chinook, see our Chinook schools guide .

Nearby Schools

18 within 23.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Chinook 7-8 Chinook 0.3 mi 3.4
Chinook High School Chinook 0.3 mi 6.7
Zurich School Zurich 9.4 mi 9.8
Davey Elementary Havre 15.3 mi
Cleveland School Chinook 22.4 mi
Hartland Elementary School Chinook 26.8 mi
Lincoln-McKinley School Havre 20.1 mi 4.4
ST JUDE THADDEUS SCHOOL Havre 20.2 mi 7.9
Havre High School Havre 20.3 mi 3.9
Sunnyside School Havre 20.4 mi 3.8
Bear Paw School Chinook 26.9 mi
Harlem Elementary School Harlem 20.8 mi 3.5
Harlem 7-8 Harlem 21.4 mi 5.4
Harlem High School Harlem 21.4 mi 5.7
Highland Park School Havre 21.5 mi 5.2
Havre Middle School Havre 21.8 mi 5.4
North Harlem Elementary Harlem 22.0 mi
WHITE CLAY IMMERSION SCHOOL Harlem 23.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,107

Median Home Value

$200,700

Median Rent

$739/mo

Population

2,281

College Educated

38.5%

Homeownership

72.8%

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

40.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Meadowlark School has a median household income of $74,107. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $200,700, with a median rent of $739/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cascade School Cascade, MT 5.3
Creston School Kalispell, MT 5.3
F E Miley School Big Sandy, MT 5.3
Broadview School Broadview, MT 5.2
Shields Valley Elementary Clyde Park, MT 5.2
Blue Creek School Billings, MT 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Meadowlark School

What grades does Meadowlark School serve?

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

How many students attend Meadowlark School?

Meadowlark School has an enrollment of approximately 149 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Meadowlark School?

The student-teacher ratio at Meadowlark School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Meadowlark School rank in MT?

Meadowlark School is ranked #452 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Meadowlark School's MySchoolScout rating?

Meadowlark School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Meadowlark School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meadowlark School has 32.0% math proficiency and 30.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Meadowlark School a charter school?

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

Is Meadowlark School a Title I school?

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

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

54.4% of students at Meadowlark 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

City Safety
Elevated (952/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chinook). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
149
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Blaine County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chinook Elem
District Enrollment
211
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,728
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

Get 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.