Average
#432 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
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
225
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Colstrip
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#238 of 319
In district
#2 of 2
Colstrip Elem
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Pine Butte Elementary Sch
Pine Butte Elementary School is a small, rural public school located in Colstrip, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Pine Butte has an enrollment of 225 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is in a remote area where community ties are strong.
Pine Butte Elementary School focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its students, many of whom may face unique challenges due to the rural location. Academic performance shows areas for improvement, with the MySchoolScout rating at 5.4 out of 10 and state ranking in the lower half of Montana schools. Specifically, 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 32% achieve proficiency or higher in Math.
Despite these statistics, Pine Butte Elementary is committed to fostering student development and growth. The school's remote setting means it plays a vital role in the local community, offering more than just academic education—it provides a sense of stability and support for its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pine Butte Elementary Sch 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
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Data not available for this school
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Pine Butte Elementary Sch — Students at Pine Butte Elementary Sch score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.3%
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: 4.5/10.
How Pine Butte Elementary Sch Compares
See how Pine Butte Elementary Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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 8.8/10, 25.1 miles away, in nearby Forsyth), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rosebud School (rated 7.3/10, 26.8 miles away, in nearby Rosebud), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ashland School (rated 6.8/10, 27.6 miles away, in nearby Ashland), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.8 |
| Frank Brattin Middle Schl Colstrip | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Lame Deer School Lame Deer | 20.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Lame Deer High School Lame Deer | 22.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Lame Deer 7-8 Lame Deer | 22.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Forsyth High School Forsyth | 25.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Forsyth 7-8 Forsyth | 25.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Forsyth Elementary School Forsyth | 25.1 mi | 8.8 |
| COTTONWOOD SCHOOL Forsyth | 21.2 mi | — |
| Rosebud School Rosebud | 26.8 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pine Butte Elementary Sch has a median household income of $86,000. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,700, with a median rent of $632/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% 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 |
|---|---|
| Blue Creek School Billings, MT | 5.4 |
| Burlington School Billings, MT | 5.4 |
| Valley View School Great Falls, MT | 5.5 |
| Cascade School Cascade, MT | 5.3 |
| Chief Joseph School Great Falls, MT | 5.3 |
| Meadowlark School Chinook, MT | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #432 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Pine Butte Elementary Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Pine Butte Elementary Sch has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Pine Butte Elementary Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pine Butte Elementary Sch has 32.0% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Low (147/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Colstrip). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 748-4699
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Colstrip Elem- District Enrollment
- 351
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,131
- District Rank
- #2 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.
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