Skip to main content

Average

#462 of 603 schools in MT

Pine Butte Elementary Sch

Elementary School · Colstrip Elem

PO Box 159, Colstrip, MT 59323

Enrollment

225

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#462 of 603

In Colstrip

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Colstrip Elem

School environment

8.4 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Pine Butte Elementary Sch?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Pine Butte Elementary Sch

5.0/10

Elementary School in Colstrip · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Colstrip High School

5.6/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Frank Brattin Middle Schl

4.4/10

1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pine Butte Elementary Sch

Pine Butte Elementary Sch is a public elementary school in Colstrip, MT, part of Colstrip Elem. Pine Butte Elementary Sch serves approximately 225 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Pine Butte Elementary Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #462 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Pine Butte Elementary Sch show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts below MT schools
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Pine Butte Elementary Sch sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-4.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,131
Chronic Absenteeism25.3%

Pine Butte Elementary Sch — Students at Pine Butte Elementary Sch score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
32%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Pine Butte Elementary Sch Compares

See how Pine Butte Elementary Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
24th percentile in MT
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO Box 159, Colstrip, MT 59323

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pine Butte Elementary Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forsyth Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 25.1 miles away, in nearby Forsyth), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ashland School (rated 6.7/10, 27.6 miles away, in nearby Ashland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lame Deer School (rated 4.7/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Lame Deer), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Colstrip, see our Colstrip schools guide .

Nearby Schools

16 within 30.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Colstrip High School Colstrip 0.6 mi 5.6
Frank Brattin Middle Schl Colstrip 1.7 mi 4.4
Lame Deer School Lame Deer 20.1 mi 4.7
Lame Deer High School Lame Deer 22.1 mi 5.5
Lame Deer 7-8 Lame Deer 22.1 mi 6.0
Forsyth High School Forsyth 25.0 mi 7.0
Forsyth 7-8 Forsyth 25.0 mi 6.7
Forsyth Elementary School Forsyth 25.1 mi 9.3
COTTONWOOD SCHOOL Forsyth 21.2 mi
Rosebud School Rosebud 26.8 mi 4.0
Rosebud High School Rosebud 26.8 mi
Rosebud 7-8 Rosebud 26.8 mi
ST LABRE HIGH SCHOOL Ashland 26.7 mi 7.1
Ashland School Ashland 27.6 mi 6.7
Ashland 7-8 Ashland 27.6 mi
Northern Cheyenne Tribal School Busby 30.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59323 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,000

Median Home Value

$193,700

Median Rent

$632/mo

Population

2,156

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

80.8%

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

43.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Highland Park School Havre, MT 5.0
Superior Elementary Superior, MT 5.0
Valley View School Great Falls, MT 5.0
Bitterroot School Billings, MT 5.1
Elrod School Kalispell, MT 5.1
Morningside School Great Falls, MT 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pine Butte Elementary Sch

What grades does Pine Butte Elementary Sch serve?

Pine Butte Elementary Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Pine Butte Elementary Sch?

Pine Butte Elementary Sch has an enrollment of approximately 225 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pine Butte Elementary Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Pine Butte Elementary Sch is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pine Butte Elementary Sch rank in MT?

Pine Butte Elementary Sch ranks #462 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Pine Butte Elementary Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Pine Butte Elementary Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Pine Butte Elementary Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pine Butte Elementary Sch has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Pine Butte Elementary Sch a charter school?

No, Pine Butte Elementary Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pine Butte Elementary Sch a Title I school?

No, Pine Butte Elementary Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pine Butte Elementary Sch?

49.3% of students at Pine Butte Elementary Sch 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
225
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Rosebud County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

District

Colstrip Elem
District Enrollment
351
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,131
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.