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Very Good

#203 of 603 schools in MT

Top 34% in state

Poplar School

Elementary School · Poplar Elem

Box 458, Poplar, MT 59255

Enrollment

334

Student-Teacher

9.3:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#203 of 603

In Poplar

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Poplar Elem

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Poplar School

7.2/10

Elementary School in Poplar · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Poplar 7-8

5.5/10

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

Poplar 5-6 School

6.1/10

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

About Poplar School

Poplar School is a public elementary school in Poplar, MT, part of Poplar Elem. Poplar School serves approximately 334 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 9.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Poplar School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #203 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Poplar School show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above MT schools
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Poplar School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

At 9.3:1 students to teachers, Poplar School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Poplar School 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 Progress9.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,549
Chronic Absenteeism53.3%

Poplar School — Students at Poplar School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 13.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 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
17%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
17%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Poplar School Compares

See how Poplar School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
67th percentile in MT
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.3%

Location

Box 458, Poplar, MT 59255

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poplar School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frontier School (rated 6.2/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Wolf Point), with a comparable rating. Another option is Vida School (rated 5.7/10, 23.4 miles away, in nearby Circle), a more accessible option. Additionally, Barbara Gilligan School (rated 5.5/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Brockton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Poplar, see our Poplar schools guide .

Nearby Schools

16 within 33.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Poplar 7-8 Poplar 0.0 mi 5.5
Poplar 5-6 School Poplar 0.0 mi 6.1
Poplar High School Poplar 0.0 mi 5.5
Barbara Gilligan School Brockton 13.6 mi 5.5
Barbara Gilligan 7-8 Brockton 13.6 mi
Brockton High School Brockton 13.6 mi 7.2
Frontier School Wolf Point 16.5 mi 6.2
Frontier 7-8 Wolf Point 16.5 mi
Vida School Circle 23.4 mi 5.7
Northside School Wolf Point 20.3 mi 4.7
Southside School Wolf Point 20.4 mi 4.3
Wolf Point 7-8 Wolf Point 20.6 mi 4.1
Wolf Point High School Wolf Point 20.6 mi 4.2
Richey School Richey 33.0 mi 5.1
Richey 7-8 Richey 33.0 mi
Richey High School Richey 33.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59255 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,089

Median Home Value

$79,900

Median Rent

$429/mo

Population

2,994

College Educated

16.9%

Homeownership

67.1%

Poverty Rate

38.4%

Median Age

25.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Choteau School Choteau, MT 7.2
Montana City School Clancy, MT 7.2
Roundup Elementary Roundup, MT 7.2
Irle Elementary School Glasgow, MT 7.1
Columbus Elem School Columbus, MT 7.4
Eureka Elementary School Eureka, MT 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poplar School

What grades does Poplar School serve?

Poplar School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Poplar School?

Poplar School has an enrollment of approximately 334 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Poplar School?

The student-teacher ratio at Poplar School is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Poplar School rank in MT?

Poplar School ranks #203 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Poplar School's MySchoolScout rating?

Poplar School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Poplar School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Poplar School has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Poplar School a charter school?

No, Poplar School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Poplar School a Title I school?

No, Poplar School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Poplar School?

100.0% of students at Poplar 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
334
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Roosevelt County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.3%

District

Poplar Elem
District Enrollment
583
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,549
District Rank
#1 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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