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Average

#287 of 603 schools in MT

Top 47% in state

Ulm School

Elementary School · Ulm Elem

PO Box 189, Ulm, MT 59485

Enrollment

84

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ulm

#1 of 2

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#162 of 319

In district

#1 of 2

Ulm Elem

Academic performance

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Ulm School

Ulm School serves 84 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the small rural community of Ulm, Montana. This elementary school has earned exceptional recognition, ranking 21st out of 605 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 97th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10. With seven full-time equivalent teachers, Ulm School maintains an impressive 12:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students.

The school demonstrates solid academic performance, with 70% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 50% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. Students benefit from the stability and community connection that comes with small-school education in rural Montana. The surrounding ZIP code of 59485 reflects a stable community with a median household income of $86,625 and low poverty rate of just 4.1%.

About 30% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median home value sits at $267,200, indicating a community that values both education and long-term investment. Ulm School operates within the rural landscape of Cascade County, where students experience the advantages of close-knit community relationships while receiving a quality elementary education that prepares them well for future academic challenges.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 84 students, Ulm 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.

Located in a rural area, Ulm 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 Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,646

Ulm School — Students at Ulm School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 76.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.2%
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
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
90%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Ulm School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in MT
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

PO Box 189, Ulm, MT 59485

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ulm School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Great Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vaughn School (rated 7.3/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Vaughn), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fairhaven Colony (rated 5.9/10, 6.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ulm, see our Ulm schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Ulm Junior High Ulm 0.0 mi
Fairhaven Colony Ulm 6.1 mi 5.9
Vaughn School Vaughn 8.8 mi 7.3
Vaughn 7-8 Vaughn 8.8 mi
Meadow Lark School Great Falls 9.0 mi 5.4
West Elementary Great Falls 9.6 mi 4.8
Hillcrest Colony Elementary Vaughn 13.5 mi
Valley View School Great Falls 10.1 mi 5.5
C M Russell High School Great Falls 10.5 mi 6.5
Riverview School Great Falls 10.9 mi 5.0
Whittier School Great Falls 11.2 mi 4.9
Longfellow School Great Falls 11.1 mi 5.3
Sacajawea School Great Falls 11.8 mi 4.9
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls 11.3 mi 7.9
North Middle School Great Falls 11.9 mi 8.0
Sunnyside School Great Falls 11.3 mi 5.3
Grass Land Colony School Sand Coulee 12.2 mi
Great Falls High School Great Falls 11.8 mi 4.5
FOOTHILLS COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls 12.3 mi 7.1
GREAT FALLS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls 12.1 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59485 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,292

Median Home Value

$289,000

Median Rent

$2,200/mo

Population

767

College Educated

32.8%

Homeownership

91.6%

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

43.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ulm School has a median household income of $88,292. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,000, with a median rent of $2,200/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Barbara Gilligan School Brockton, MT 6.5
Heart Butte Elementary Heart Butte, MT 6.6
MT ELLIS ELEMENTARY Bozeman, MT 6.6
Wyola Elementary Wyola, MT 6.6
Jefferson School Miles City, MT 6.7
Kinsey School Kinsey, MT 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ulm School

What grades does Ulm School serve?

Ulm School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Ulm School?

Ulm School has an enrollment of approximately 84 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ulm School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ulm School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ulm School rank in MT?

Ulm School is ranked #287 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Ulm School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ulm School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Ulm School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ulm School has 76.3% math proficiency and 56.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ulm School a charter school?

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

Is Ulm School a Title I school?

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

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

28.6% of students at Ulm 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

County Safety
Average (333/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cascade County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ulm Elem
District Enrollment
135
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,341
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.

Read our full methodology

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