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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,925

Saco School — Students at Saco School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.3%
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
10%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
67th percentile in MT
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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.

9 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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