Very Good
#199 of 603 schools in MT
Top 33% in state
Plains Elementary School
Elementary School · Plains K-12
Box 549, Plains, MT 59859
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plains
#2 of 3
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#114 of 319
In district
#2 of 3
Plains K-12
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Plains Elementary School
Plains Elementary School serves 235 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in the remote rural community of Plains, Montana. With 18 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.1-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking #65 out of 605 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile.
This impressive ranking reflects the school's academic score of 8.6 out of 10. Student achievement shows 52% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 57% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Mathematics. Plains Elementary operates as a regular public school in Sanders County, serving families in a community where the median household income is $47,097 and about 15% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%, and median home values reach $338,900. Located in Montana's remote rural landscape, Plains Elementary provides education to students in a close-knit community of approximately 4,115 residents, where the natural beauty of the region creates a unique backdrop for learning.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Plains 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Plains Elementary School — Students at Plains Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.8%
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: 5.9/10.
How Plains Elementary School Compares
See how Plains Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
Box 549, Plains, MT 59859
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Plains Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. St Regis School (rated 8.1/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby St. Regis), which scores notably higher. Another option is Superior Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Superior), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Thompson Falls Elem Schl (rated 6.2/10, 23.3 miles away, in nearby Thompson Falls), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Plains, see our Plains schools guide .
Nearby Schools
18 within 37.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Plains High School Plains | 0.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Plains 7-8 Plains | 0.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Hot Springs School Hot Springs | 14.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Hot Springs High School Hot Springs | 14.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Hot Springs 7-8 Hot Springs | 14.3 mi | — |
| St Regis School St. Regis | 15.2 mi | 8.1 |
| St Regis High School St. Regis | 15.2 mi | 3.8 |
| St Regis 7-8 St. Regis | 15.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Superior High School Superior | 19.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Superior 7-8 Superior | 19.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Superior Elementary Superior | 19.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Thompson Falls High Schl Thompson Falls | 22.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Thompson Falls 7-8 Thompson Falls | 23.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Thompson Falls Elem Schl Thompson Falls | 23.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Alberton Elementary Alberton | 37.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Alberton High School Alberton | 37.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Alberton Middle School Alberton | 37.1 mi | 4.3 |
| NORTH WEST INDIAN BIBLE SCHOOL Alberton | 37.8 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59859 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,667
Median Home Value
$403,800
Median Rent
$792/mo
Population
4,204
College Educated
20.8%
Homeownership
74.3%
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
55.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Plains Elementary School has a median household income of $61,667. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $403,800, with a median rent of $792/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Joliet School Joliet, MT | 7.0 |
| Manhattan Elem Manhattan, MT | 7.0 |
| Bonner School Bonner, MT | 6.9 |
| Elysian School Billings, MT | 7.1 |
| Hardin Intermediate Hardin, MT | 6.9 |
| Hardin Primary Hardin, MT | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Plains Elementary School
What grades does Plains Elementary School serve?
Plains Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Plains Elementary School?
Plains Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 235 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Plains Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Plains Elementary School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Plains Elementary School rank in MT?
Plains Elementary School is ranked #199 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Plains Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Plains Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Plains Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plains Elementary School has 53.7% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Plains Elementary School a charter school?
No, Plains Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Plains Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Plains Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Plains Elementary School?
63.8% of students at Plains 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
- City Safety
- Average (397/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Plains). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 235
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Sanders County
- Phone
- (406) 826-3642
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Plains K-12- District Enrollment
- 427
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,159
- District Rank
- #2 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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