Very Good
#201 of 603 schools in MT
Top 33% in state
Saco School
Elementary School · Saco Elem
Box 298, Saco, MT 59261
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
7.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
7.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Montana elementary schools
#115 of 319
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Saco School
Saco School is a small, rural elementary school located in Saco, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school currently has an enrollment of just 30 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.5:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers. Nestled in a remote area, Saco School offers a close-knit community feel where teachers can provide personalized attention to each child.
While the academic performance metrics show room for growth—41% proficiency in ELA and reading, and 28% proficiency in math—the school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 places it around the 32nd percentile among Montana schools. This suggests that while Saco School is working on improving academic outcomes, there are many strengths beyond test scores to consider. Saco School sits in a tranquil rural setting where students can enjoy a slower pace and a supportive learning environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 30 students, Saco 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, Saco 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.
Located in a rural area, Saco 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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Data not available for this school
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Saco School — Students at Saco School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.7%
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: 7.4/10.
How Saco School Compares
See how Saco School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
Box 298, Saco, MT 59261
Nearby Schools
8 within 24.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Saco 7-8 Saco | 0.0 mi | — |
| Saco High School Saco | 0.0 mi | — |
| Hinsdale School Hinsdale | 12.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Hinsdale 7-8 Hinsdale | 12.8 mi | — |
| Hinsdale High School Hinsdale | 12.8 mi | — |
| Whitewater School Whitewater | 24.6 mi | — |
| Whitewater High School Whitewater | 24.6 mi | — |
| Whitewater 6-8 Whitewater | 24.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59261 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,833
Median Home Value
$163,900
Median Rent
$554/mo
Population
496
College Educated
22.9%
Homeownership
79.1%
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
55.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Saco School has a median household income of $65,833. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,900, with a median rent of $554/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| LaMotte School Bozeman, MT | 6.8 |
| NKWUSM SALISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL Arlee, MT | 7.2 |
| Turner School Turner, MT | 6.8 |
| Willow Creek School Willow Creek, MT | 7.2 |
| Rosebud School Rosebud, MT | 7.3 |
| Ryegate School Ryegate, MT | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Saco School
What grades does Saco School serve?
Saco School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Saco School?
Saco School has an enrollment of approximately 30 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Saco School?
The student-teacher ratio at Saco School is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Saco School rank in MT?
Saco School is ranked #201 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Saco School's MySchoolScout rating?
Saco School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Saco School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Saco School has 28.2% math proficiency and 41.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Saco School a charter school?
No, Saco School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Saco School a Title I school?
No, Saco School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Saco School?
76.7% of students at Saco 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 30
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Phillips County
- Phone
- (406) 527-3531
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Saco Elem- District Enrollment
- 35
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,132
- 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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