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Very Good

#126 of 603 schools in MT

Top 21% in state

Ryegate School

Elementary School · Ryegate K-12 Schools

PO Box 129, Ryegate, MT 59074

Enrollment

41

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Montana elementary schools

#78 of 319

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Ryegate School

Ryegate School is a small public elementary school nestled in the remote rural setting of Ryegate, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 41 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.8 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking at number 398 out of 605 schools in Montana, placing it in the 34th percentile overall.

Academically, Ryegate School has an average performance score of 2.3 out of 10, with only 20% proficiency or above in ELA/reading and 10% proficiency or above in math across all grades. With a small student body and close-knit community, Ryegate School offers personalized attention and support to each child. The school's rural location provides students with unique opportunities for outdoor learning and community engagement.

Despite facing challenges in academic performance metrics, the school focuses on fostering student development and building a strong sense of community among its students and families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 41 students, Ryegate 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.

While current test scores at Ryegate School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, Ryegate School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-30.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,536

Ryegate School — Students at Ryegate School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

7.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.

How Ryegate School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
79th percentile in MT
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
7%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

PO Box 129, Ryegate, MT 59074

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ryegate School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rapelje School (rated 6.3/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Rapelje), a more accessible option. Another option is Broadview School (rated 5.2/10, 22.7 miles away, in nearby Broadview), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lavina Elementary (rated 3.1/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Lavina), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ryegate, see our Ryegate schools guide .

Nearby Schools

15 within 35.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Ryegate High School Ryegate 0.0 mi
Ryegate 7-8 Ryegate 0.0 mi
Lavina Elementary Lavina 15.4 mi 3.1
Lavina High School Lavina 15.4 mi
Lavina Middle School Lavina 15.4 mi
Rapelje School Rapelje 22.5 mi 6.3
Rapelje 7-8 Rapelje 22.5 mi
Rapelje High School Rapelje 22.5 mi
Broadview School Broadview 22.7 mi 5.2
Broadview 7-8 Broadview 22.7 mi
Broadview High School Broadview 22.7 mi 9.1
SPRINGWATER COLONY SCHOOL Harlowton 26.2 mi
Judith Gap School Judith Gap 35.3 mi
Judith Gap 7-8 Judith Gap 35.3 mi
Judith Gap High School Judith Gap 35.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59074 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,643

Median Home Value

$131,700

Median Rent

$775/mo

Population

396

College Educated

12%

Homeownership

85.9%

Poverty Rate

29.8%

Median Age

62.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ryegate School has a median household income of $49,643. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $131,700, with a median rent of $775/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Rosebud School Rosebud, MT 7.3
Arrow Creek Elem School Pryor, MT 7.8
NKWUSM SALISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL Arlee, MT 7.2
Willow Creek School Willow Creek, MT 7.2
Geraldine Elementary Geraldine, MT 7.9
Valley View School Polson, MT 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ryegate School

What grades does Ryegate School serve?

Ryegate School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Ryegate School?

Ryegate School has an enrollment of approximately 41 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ryegate School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ryegate School is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ryegate School rank in MT?

Ryegate School is ranked #126 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Ryegate School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ryegate School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Ryegate School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ryegate School has 10.0% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ryegate School a charter school?

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

Is Ryegate School a Title I school?

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

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

7.3% of students at Ryegate 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
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
7.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Golden Valley County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ryegate K-12 Schools
District Enrollment
63
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$36,568
District Rank
#1 of 1

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.

Read our full methodology

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