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
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Ulm School — Students at Ulm School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.6%
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: 5.1/10.
How Ulm School Compares
See how Ulm School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 69.5% (2019) to 69.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (406) 866-3313
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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