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
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Ryegate School — Students at Ryegate School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
7.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 30% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (406) 568-2211
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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