Excellent
#62 of 603 schools in MT
Top 10% in state
Rau School
Elementary School · Rau Elem
12138 County Rd #350, Sidney, MT 59270
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#62 of 603
In Sidney
#2 of 5
public schools
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Rau School
Elementary School in Sidney · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sidney High School
2.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Liberty Christian School
3.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Rau School
Rau School is a public elementary school in Sidney, MT, part of Rau Elem. Rau School serves approximately 72 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Rau School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #62 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Rau School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 72 students, Rau School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Rau 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rau School — Students at Rau School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 24 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: 9.4/10.
How Rau School Compares
See how Rau School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
12138 County Rd #350, Sidney, MT 59270
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rau School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EAST FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.6/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Fairview), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Side Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bainville School (rated 7.3/10, 33.0 miles away, in nearby Bainville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sidney, see our Sidney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 33.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sidney High School Sidney | 2.8 mi | 6.9 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sidney | 3.2 mi | — |
| Central Elementary Sidney | 3.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Sidney Middle School Sidney | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| West Side Elementary Sidney | 3.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Brorson School Sidney | 10.4 mi | — |
| Fairview School Fairview | 13.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Fairview 6-8 Fairview | 13.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Fairview High School Fairview | 13.5 mi | 7.2 |
| EAST FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairview | 14.1 mi | 9.6 |
| YELLOWSTONE VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fairview | 14.1 mi | 3.7 |
| HORSE CREEK SCHOOL Cartwright | 11.4 mi | — |
| Savage School Savage | 17.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Savage 7-8 Savage | 17.4 mi | — |
| Savage High School Savage | 17.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Lambert School Lambert | 22.2 mi | 3.3 |
| Lambert 7-8 Lambert | 22.2 mi | — |
| Lambert High School Lambert | 22.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Bainville School Bainville | 33.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Bainville High School Bainville | 33.0 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59270 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,031
Median Home Value
$260,600
Median Rent
$876/mo
Population
8,844
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
68.5%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Median Age
38.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Drummond School Drummond, MT | 8.6 |
| Gardiner School Gardiner, MT | 8.2 |
| Sunburst Elementary Sunburst, MT | 8.7 |
| Bissell School Whitefish, MT | 8.1 |
| Hobson School Hobson, MT | 8.1 |
| Medicine Lake School Medicine Lake, MT | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rau School
What grades does Rau School serve?
Rau School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Rau School?
Rau School has an enrollment of approximately 72 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rau School?
The student-teacher ratio at Rau School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rau School rank in MT?
Rau School ranks #62 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Rau School's MySchoolScout rating?
Rau School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Rau School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Rau School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Rau School a charter school?
No, Rau School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rau School a Title I school?
No, Rau School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rau School?
20.8% of students at Rau 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 72
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Richland County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.7%
- Phone
- (406) 482-1088
Resources & Links
District
Rau Elem- District Enrollment
- 72
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,087
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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