Below Average
#554 of 603 schools in MT
Rau School
Elementary School · Rau Elem
12138 County Rd #350, Sidney, MT 59270
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sidney
#5 of 5
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#296 of 319
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Rau School
Rau School, located in the rural area near Sidney, Montana, is a cozy elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 72 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1, Rau provides a personalized learning environment where teachers can give individual attention to each child’s needs. The school’s dedicated staff includes seven full-time equivalent educators who are committed to fostering a nurturing atmosphere for young learners.
Academically, Rau School is rated at the 41st percentile in Montana, placing it as the 360th best out of 605 schools statewide. While there is room for academic growth, students perform well in English Language Arts and Reading, with 56% reaching proficiency or above. In Math, 50% of students achieve proficiency levels, indicating a strong foundation but also areas where improvement can be made.
Rau School’s setting offers a peaceful rural backdrop that lends itself to community engagement and close-knit relationships among students, teachers, and families. The school is an integral part of the Sidney area, contributing to the local educational landscape with its warm and supportive learning environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 72 students, Rau School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Rau 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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Rau School — Students at Rau School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 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: 1.8/10.
How Rau School Compares
See how Rau School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
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. Bainville School (rated 8.6/10, 33.0 miles away, in nearby Bainville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Side Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.2 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sidney | 3.2 mi | — |
| Central Elementary Sidney | 3.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Sidney Middle School Sidney | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
| West Side Elementary Sidney | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Brorson School Sidney | 10.4 mi | — |
| Fairview School Fairview | 13.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Fairview 6-8 Fairview | 13.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Fairview High School Fairview | 13.5 mi | 5.7 |
| EAST FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairview | 14.1 mi | 6.1 |
| YELLOWSTONE VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fairview | 14.1 mi | 3.7 |
| HORSE CREEK SCHOOL Cartwright | 11.4 mi | — |
| Savage School Savage | 17.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Savage 7-8 Savage | 17.4 mi | — |
| Savage High School Savage | 17.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Lambert School Lambert | 22.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Lambert 7-8 Lambert | 22.2 mi | — |
| Lambert High School Lambert | 22.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Bainville School Bainville | 33.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Bainville High School Bainville | 33.0 mi | 7.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rau School has a median household income of $68,031. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,600, with a median rent of $876/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dutton/Brady Elementary Dutton, MT | 4.3 |
| Savage School Savage, MT | 4.4 |
| White Sulphur Springs El White Sulphur Springs, MT | 4.0 |
| Noxon School Noxon, MT | 4.7 |
| Hot Springs School Hot Springs, MT | 4.8 |
| Lambert School Lambert, MT | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #554 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Rau School's MySchoolScout rating?
Rau School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Rau School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rau School has 49.7% math proficiency and 56.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,177/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sidney). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 482-1088
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rau Elem- District Enrollment
- 72
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,087
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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