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Very Good

#80 of 603 schools in MT

Top 13% in state

North Star School

Elementary School · North Star Elem

Box 129, Rudyard, MT 59540

Enrollment

113

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rudyard

#1 of 2

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#57 of 319

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About North Star School

North Star School serves 113 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in the small community of Rudyard, Montana. This regular public elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1, supported by 11 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, North Star School performs well above average, earning a 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 78th out of 605 schools statewide, placing it in the 87th percentile among Montana schools.

The school demonstrates solid academic achievement with 54% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 44% reach proficiency in mathematics. The school draws from a stable rural community where families have a median household income of $63,750 and median home values of $116,700. With one-third of local adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a remarkably low poverty rate of just 1.8%, the area provides a supportive foundation for student learning.

North Star School is situated in Hill County's remote rural landscape, serving the tight-knit community of Rudyard where the entire ZIP code population totals just 561 residents, creating a true small-town educational experience.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 113 students, North Star 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, North Star 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 Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,301

North Star School — Students at North Star School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.2%
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
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How North Star School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
87th percentile in MT
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

Box 129, Rudyard, MT 59540

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Star School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. F E Miley School (rated 5.3/10, 28.9 miles away, in nearby Big Sandy), a more accessible option. Additionally, Box Elder School (rated 4.8/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Box Elder), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rudyard, see our Rudyard schools guide .

Nearby Schools

10 within 28.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Gildford Colony School Gildford 15.9 mi
North Star 7-8 Rudyard 11.5 mi
North Star High School Rudyard 11.5 mi 5.4
Cottonwood School Havre 20.2 mi
Box Elder School Box Elder 22.1 mi 4.8
Box Elder 7-8 Box Elder 22.1 mi 4.7
Box Elder High School Box Elder 22.1 mi 7.1
Big Sandy High School Big Sandy 28.4 mi 4.3
Big Sandy 7-8 Big Sandy 28.4 mi
F E Miley School Big Sandy 28.9 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,319

Median Home Value

$100,000

Median Rent

$645/mo

Population

470

College Educated

30.9%

Homeownership

48%

Poverty Rate

2.4%

Median Age

34.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Star School has a median household income of $71,319. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,000, with a median rent of $645/month. The local poverty rate of 2.4% 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
MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula, MT 7.9
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls, MT 7.9
ST JUDE THADDEUS SCHOOL Havre, MT 7.9
ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell, MT 8.0
Scobey School Scobey, MT 8.0
Charlo Elementary Charlo, MT 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Star School

What grades does North Star School serve?

North Star School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend North Star School?

North Star School has an enrollment of approximately 113 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Star School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Star School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Star School rank in MT?

North Star School is ranked #80 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is North Star School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Star School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 North Star School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Star School has 37.8% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Star School a charter school?

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

Is North Star School a Title I school?

No, North Star School is not currently a Title I school.

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

48.7% of students at North Star 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (996/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Hill County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Star Elem
District Enrollment
142
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,287
District Rank
#1 of 1

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

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