Excellent
#37 of 603 schools in MT
Top 6% in state
Sunburst Elementary
Elementary School · Sunburst K-12 Schools
Box 710, Sunburst, MT 59482
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sunburst
#1 of 2
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#24 of 319
In district
#1 of 2
Sunburst K-12 Schools
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Sunburst Elementary
Sunburst Elementary is a public elementary school in Sunburst, MT, part of the Sunburst K-12 Schools. The school serves approximately 87 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 94th percentile among MT schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 51% proficiency in math and 61% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $86,250, where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 87 students, Sunburst 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, Sunburst 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Sunburst Elementary — Students at Sunburst Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Sunburst Elementary Compares
See how Sunburst Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 54.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 64.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022).
Location
Box 710, Sunburst, MT 59482
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunburst Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shelby Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 25.5 miles away, in nearby Shelby), with a comparable rating. Another option is Anna Jeffries Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 25.3 miles away, in nearby Cut Bank), a more accessible option. Additionally, H C Davis Elementary (rated 3.4/10, 25.7 miles away, in nearby Cut Bank), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sunburst, see our Sunburst schools guide .
Nearby Schools
13 within 25.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sunburst High School Sunburst | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Sunburst 7 - 8 Sunburst | 0.2 mi | — |
| Big Rose Colony School Shelby | 19.2 mi | — |
| Glacier Elementary School Cut Bank | 14.4 mi | — |
| Horizon Elementary Cut Bank | 18.2 mi | — |
| Shelby 7-8 Shelby | 25.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Shelby High School Shelby | 25.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Shelby Elementary School Shelby | 25.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Zenith Elementary Cut Bank | 19.6 mi | — |
| Anna Jeffries Elementary Cut Bank | 25.3 mi | 7.0 |
| H C Davis Elementary Cut Bank | 25.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Cut Bank Middle School Cut Bank | 25.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Cut Bank High School Cut Bank | 25.7 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59482 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,250
Median Home Value
$158,800
Median Rent
$1,042/mo
Population
1,002
College Educated
30.3%
Homeownership
68.2%
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
20.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sunburst Elementary has a median household income of $86,250. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,800, with a median rent of $1,042/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bainville School Bainville, MT | 8.6 |
| Greenfield School Fairfield, MT | 8.6 |
| Wibaux Elementary School Wibaux, MT | 8.6 |
| Bo Peep School Circle, MT | 8.5 |
| Augusta Elementary School Augusta, MT | 8.8 |
| PRETTY EAGLE CTHLC SCHL Saint Xavier, MT | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunburst Elementary
What grades does Sunburst Elementary serve?
Sunburst Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Sunburst Elementary?
Sunburst Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 87 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunburst Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunburst Elementary is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunburst Elementary rank in MT?
Sunburst Elementary is ranked #37 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Sunburst Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunburst Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Sunburst Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunburst Elementary has 51.2% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sunburst Elementary a charter school?
No, Sunburst Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunburst Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sunburst Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunburst Elementary?
46.0% of students at Sunburst 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 87
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Toole County
- Phone
- (406) 937-2816
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sunburst K-12 Schools- District Enrollment
- 159
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,736
- District Rank
- #1 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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