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Average

#368 of 603 schools in MT

Based on limited data

South School

Elementary School · Laurel Elem

410 Colorado Avenue, Laurel, MT 59044

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MT statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

152

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – Kindergarten

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Laurel

#4 of 5

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#209 of 319

In district

#3 of 4

Laurel Elem

About South School

South School is a regular public elementary school located on the fringe of an urban area in Laurel, Montana. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through kindergarten and has an enrollment of 152 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1. South School has ten full-time equivalent teachers committed to providing a strong educational foundation for young learners.

While academic test score data is not available, the MySchoolScout rating reflects that there may be room for academic growth at South School. The school's ranking of #395 out of 605 schools in Montana suggests it falls around the 35th percentile statewide, indicating opportunities to enhance performance and support student development. South School is situated in a town setting where the community likely plays an active role in supporting local education initiatives.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 152 students, South 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.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on MT state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,716

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How South School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in MT
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

410 Colorado Avenue, Laurel, MT 59044

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fred W Graff School (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GRACE MONTESSORI ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Billings), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arrowhead School (rated 6.9/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Billings), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Laurel, see our Laurel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.8 mi
School Distance Rating
West School Laurel 0.8 mi 5.7
Laurel High School Laurel 1.2 mi 6.8
Fred W Graff School Laurel 1.1 mi 7.5
Laurel Middle School Laurel 1.3 mi 6.4
Yellowstone Academy Elem Billings 6.5 mi 4.5
Yellowstone Academy 7-8 Billings 6.5 mi
YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY Billings 6.5 mi 8.5
Elder Grove School Billings 7.3 mi 4.8
Elder Grove 7-8 Billings 7.3 mi 4.6
Park City School Park City 6.9 mi 6.2
Park City 7-8 Park City 6.9 mi 4.1
Park City High School Park City 6.9 mi 5.1
Canyon Creek School Billings 7.7 mi 5.9
Canyon Creek 6-8 Billings 7.7 mi 4.1
Ben Steele Middle School Billings 10.1 mi 5.7
GRACE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Billings 10.8 mi 7.5
SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Billings 10.4 mi
Big Sky Elementary Billings 11.0 mi 6.8
Arrowhead School Billings 12.2 mi 6.9
TRAILHEAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Billings 11.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59044 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,011

Median Home Value

$317,200

Median Rent

$983/mo

Population

12,488

College Educated

26.7%

Homeownership

70.6%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding South School has a median household income of $86,011. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $317,200, with a median rent of $983/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Canyon Creek School Billings, MT 5.9
Elrod School Kalispell, MT 5.9
Mountain View School Red Lodge, MT 5.9
Ramsay School Ramsay, MT 5.9
SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miles City, MT 5.9
Sheridan Elementary Schl Sheridan, MT 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South School

What grades does South School serve?

South School serves students in grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.

How many students attend South School?

South School has an enrollment of approximately 152 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South School?

The student-teacher ratio at South School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South School rank in MT?

South School is ranked #368 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is South School's MySchoolScout rating?

South School has a composite rating of 5.9 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.

Is South School a charter school?

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

Is South School a Title I school?

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

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

42.1% of students at South 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

City Safety
High (4,148/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Laurel). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Yellowstone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Laurel Elem
District Enrollment
1,204
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,438
District Rank
#3 of 4

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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