Average
#483 of 603 schools in MT
Ophir Elementary School
Elementary School · Big Sky School K-12
PO Box 161280, Big Sky, MT 59716
Enrollment
195
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
195
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Big Sky
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#263 of 319
In district
#3 of 3
Big Sky School K-12
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Ophir Elementary School
Ophir Elementary School is a small rural elementary school nestled in the picturesque Big Sky, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Ophir Elementary offers a close-knit community environment with a student body of 195 students and a supportive staff of 15 full-time teachers, resulting in an optimal student-teacher ratio of 13:1. The school's academic performance reflects a focus on overall development rather than just test scores, as evidenced by the MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of 246th out of 605 schools in Montana.
Students here perform at around 50% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 54% proficiency or above in Math. Set against the backdrop of Big Sky's stunning natural beauty, Ophir Elementary provides an enriching educational experience for its young learners within a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 195 students, Ophir Elementary 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, Ophir Elementary 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
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Ophir Elementary School — Students at Ophir Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
7.2%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.1/10.
How Ophir Elementary School Compares
See how Ophir Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
PO Box 161280, Big Sky, MT 59716
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ophir Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gallatin Gateway School (rated 9.0/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Gallatin Gateway), which scores notably higher. Another option is Anderson School (rated 8.5/10, 26.5 miles away, in nearby Bozeman), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MIDDLE CREEK MONTESSORI (rated 7.7/10, 30.5 miles away, in nearby Bozeman), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Big Sky, see our Big Sky schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 31.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ophir 7-8 Big Sky | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Lone Peak High School Big Sky | 0.2 mi | 8.8 |
| BIG SKY DISCOVERY SCHOOL Big Sky | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Cottonwood School Bozeman | 24.2 mi | — |
| Gallatin Gateway School Gallatin Gateway | 25.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Gallatin Gateway 7-8 Gallatin Gateway | 25.0 mi | — |
| COTTONWOOD DAY SCHOOL Bozeman | 26.3 mi | — |
| Anderson School Bozeman | 26.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Anderson 7-8 Bozeman | 26.5 mi | 7.7 |
| MIDDLE CREEK MONTESSORI Bozeman | 30.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Monforton School Bozeman | 31.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Monforton Primary Bozeman | 31.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Monforton 6-8 Bozeman | 31.0 mi | 6.7 |
| CHILDRENS DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF BOZEMAN Bozeman | 30.8 mi | — |
| Sacajawea Middle School Bozeman | 30.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Morning Star School Bozeman | 30.7 mi | 5.2 |
| EMERGE PRIVATE SCHOOL Bozeman | 31.2 mi | 3.7 |
| BOZEMAN FIELD SCHOOL Bozeman | 31.1 mi | — |
| BOZEMAN FIELD SCHOOL Bozeman | 31.1 mi | — |
| Hyalite Elementary Bozeman | 31.9 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59716 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$135,396
Median Home Value
$868,600
Median Rent
$1,705/mo
Population
1,867
College Educated
55.8%
Homeownership
86.6%
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
37.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ophir Elementary School has a median household income of $135,396. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $868,600, with a median rent of $1,705/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairfield Elementary School Fairfield, MT | 5.0 |
| Meadowlark School Conrad, MT | 5.0 |
| Belt School Belt, MT | 4.9 |
| Lodge Pole School Hays, MT | 5.1 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell, MT | 4.9 |
| Whittier School Great Falls, MT | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ophir Elementary School
What grades does Ophir Elementary School serve?
Ophir Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ophir Elementary School?
Ophir Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 195 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ophir Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ophir Elementary School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ophir Elementary School rank in MT?
Ophir Elementary School is ranked #483 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Ophir Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ophir Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Ophir Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ophir Elementary School has 53.7% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ophir Elementary School a charter school?
No, Ophir Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ophir Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Ophir Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ophir Elementary School?
7.2% of students at Ophir Elementary 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
- County Safety
- Average (443/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 195
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 7.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Gallatin County
- Phone
- (406) 995-4281
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Big Sky School K-12- District Enrollment
- 396
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,410
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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