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Excellent

#40 of 603 schools in MT

Top 7% in state

Sunburst Elementary

Elementary School · Sunburst K-12 Schools

Box 710, Sunburst, MT 59482

Enrollment

87

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

8.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#40 of 603

In Sunburst

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Sunburst K-12 Schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Sunburst Elementary

8.7/10

Elementary School in Sunburst · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sunburst High School

7.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sunburst 7 - 8

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sunburst Elementary

Sunburst Elementary is a public elementary school in Sunburst, MT, part of Sunburst K-12 Schools. Sunburst Elementary serves approximately 87 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunburst Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #40 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Sunburst Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.2 pts above MT schools
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 87 students, Sunburst Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Sunburst Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency60% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+19.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,736
Chronic Absenteeism13.8%

Sunburst Elementary — Students at Sunburst Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
74.5%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
74.5%
ELA
95%
2015
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2016
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2017
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2018
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2020*
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Sunburst Elementary Compares

See how Sunburst Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
94th percentile in MT
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.8%

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 6.5/10, 25.5 miles away, in nearby Shelby), a more accessible option. Another option is Anna Jeffries Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 25.3 miles away, in nearby Cut Bank), a more accessible option. Additionally, H C Davis Elementary (rated 2.6/10, 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 7.0
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 5.6
Shelby High School Shelby 25.5 mi 4.6
Shelby Elementary School Shelby 25.5 mi 6.5
Zenith Elementary Cut Bank 19.6 mi
Anna Jeffries Elementary Cut Bank 25.3 mi 5.3
H C Davis Elementary Cut Bank 25.7 mi 2.6
Cut Bank Middle School Cut Bank 25.7 mi 3.0
Cut Bank High School Cut Bank 25.7 mi 4.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Drummond School Drummond, MT 8.6
Augusta Elementary School Augusta, MT 8.8
Winifred School Winifred, MT 8.8
Gallatin Gateway School Gallatin Gateway, MT 8.5
Charlo Elementary Charlo, MT 8.9
DeSmet School Missoula, MT 8.9

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 ranks #40 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Sunburst Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunburst Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Sunburst Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunburst Elementary has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.8%

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

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