Average
#464 of 603 schools in MT
Shields Valley Elementary
Elementary School · Shields Valley Elem
PO Box 40, Clyde Park, MT 59018
Enrollment
111
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
111
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clyde Park
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#252 of 319
In district
#2 of 2
Shields Valley Elem
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Shields Valley Elementary
Shields Valley Elementary is a small rural elementary school located in Clyde Park, Montana. With an enrollment of just 111 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.3:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive. The dedicated faculty comprises nine full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with families and the community to support student growth.
Shields Valley Elementary covers grades from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, making it a comprehensive learning environment for young students in this remote area. While the MySchoolScout rating of 5.2/10 places the school at the 46th percentile among Montana schools, there is significant focus on student development and community engagement to improve academic outcomes. Currently, about half of the students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.
The setting of Shields Valley Elementary reflects its commitment to nurturing a close-knit learning environment where teachers and families work together to foster a love for education. Located in a remote rural area, this school serves as an essential community resource for local children and their parents.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 111 students, Shields Valley Elementary 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, Shields Valley Elementary 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
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Shields Valley Elementary — Students at Shields Valley Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45%
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: 2.9/10.
How Shields Valley Elementary Compares
See how Shields Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 40, Clyde Park, MT 59018
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shields Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. East Side School (rated 7.8/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Livingston), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 23.5 miles away, in nearby Livingston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LaMotte School (rated 6.8/10, 27.5 miles away, in nearby Bozeman), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clyde Park, see our Clyde Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 28.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shields Valley 7-8 Clyde Park | 7.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Shields Valley High Schl Clyde Park | 7.8 mi | 9.1 |
| EDUCATIO Livingston | 23.3 mi | — |
| ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Livingston | 23.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Sleeping Giant Middle Sch Livingston | 23.6 mi | 4.7 |
| B A Winans School Livingston | 23.8 mi | 6.7 |
| East Side School Livingston | 23.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Park High School Livingston | 23.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Malmborg School Bozeman | 23.6 mi | — |
| Springhill School Belgrade | 20.7 mi | — |
| Pass Creek School Belgrade | 20.9 mi | — |
| MT ELLIS ELEMENTARY Bozeman | 27.1 mi | 6.6 |
| MOUNT ELLIS ACADEMY Bozeman | 27.2 mi | 8.3 |
| LaMotte 6-8 Bozeman | 27.5 mi | — |
| LaMotte School Bozeman | 27.5 mi | 6.8 |
| GREAT BEGINNINGS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bozeman | 26.2 mi | — |
| Hawthorne School Bozeman | 27.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Pine Creek 6-8 Livingston | 32.9 mi | — |
| Pine Creek School Livingston | 32.9 mi | — |
| Whittier School Bozeman | 28.0 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,556
Median Home Value
$330,600
Median Rent
$950/mo
Population
656
College Educated
34.9%
Homeownership
78.5%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
58.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shields Valley Elementary has a median household income of $60,556. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $330,600, with a median rent of $950/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Broadview School Broadview, MT | 5.2 |
| Cascade School Cascade, MT | 5.3 |
| Creston School Kalispell, MT | 5.3 |
| F E Miley School Big Sandy, MT | 5.3 |
| Meadowlark School Chinook, MT | 5.3 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Lincoln, MT | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shields Valley Elementary
What grades does Shields Valley Elementary serve?
Shields Valley Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Shields Valley Elementary?
Shields Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 111 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shields Valley Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Shields Valley Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shields Valley Elementary rank in MT?
Shields Valley Elementary is ranked #464 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Shields Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Shields Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Shields Valley Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shields Valley Elementary has 47.0% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shields Valley Elementary a charter school?
No, Shields Valley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shields Valley Elementary a Title I school?
No, Shields Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shields Valley Elementary?
45.0% of students at Shields Valley Elementary 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
- County Safety
- Average (280/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 111
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Park County
- Phone
- (406) 578-2535
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Shields Valley Elem- District Enrollment
- 141
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,820
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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