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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

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 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-9.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,639

Rau School — Students at Rau School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.3/10
8th percentile in MT
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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