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
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
North Star School — Students at North Star School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.7%
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: 7.4/10.
How North Star School Compares
See how North Star School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 44.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 54.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (406) 355-4481
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyGet 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.