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Needs Improvement

#583 of 603 schools in MT

Valley View School

Elementary School · Valley View Elem

42448 Valley View Road, Polson, MT 59860

Enrollment

33

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#583 of 603

In Polson

#5 of 5

public schools

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Valley View School

3.5/10

Elementary School in Polson · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Polson Middle School

4.4/10

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

Polson High School

5.2/10

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

About Valley View School

Valley View School is a public elementary school in Polson, MT, part of Valley View Elem. Valley View School serves approximately 33 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley View School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #583 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Valley View School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.0 pts below MT schools
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 33 students, Valley View School 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.

Valley View School 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.

36% of students at Valley View School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-5.37 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,472
Chronic Absenteeism36.4%

Valley View School — Students at Valley View School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 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
24.5%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
75%
ELA
69.5%
2016
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
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: 1.7/10.

How Valley View School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
4th percentile in MT
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.1/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.4%

Location

42448 Valley View Road, Polson, MT 59860

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley View School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Charlo Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Charlo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Linderman School (rated 7.6/10, 7.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dayton School (rated 7.2/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Dayton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Polson, see our Polson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Polson Middle School Polson 6.4 mi 4.4
Polson High School Polson 6.3 mi 5.2
Cherry Valley School Polson 6.8 mi 5.2
Linderman School Polson 7.2 mi 7.6
Pablo Elementary Ronan 8.1 mi 5.5
Two Eagle River School Pablo 8.3 mi
K William Harvey Elem Ronan 10.8 mi 5.7
MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ronan 11.1 mi
Ronan High School Ronan 11.0 mi 3.7
Ronan Middle School Ronan 11.0 mi 5.0
MISSION VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Polson 10.2 mi 7.5
Charlo Elementary Charlo 14.2 mi 8.9
Charlo 6-8 Charlo 14.2 mi 6.9
Charlo High School Charlo 14.2 mi 5.1
Dayton School Dayton 16.2 mi 7.2
Dixon 7-8 Dixon 21.9 mi
Dixon Elementary Dixon 21.9 mi 5.6
St Ignatius Elementary School St. Ignatius 23.4 mi 5.3
St Ignatius High School St. Ignatius 23.4 mi 6.3
St Ignatius Middle School St. Ignatius 23.4 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,883

Median Home Value

$386,100

Median Rent

$932/mo

Population

11,580

College Educated

33%

Homeownership

69.4%

Avg Commute

18.8 min

Poverty Rate

16.5%

Median Age

46.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Belfry School Belfry, MT 3.5
Roberts School Roberts, MT 3.4
Ryegate School Ryegate, MT 3.3
Rosebud School Rosebud, MT 4.0
Hinsdale School Hinsdale, MT 4.1
Nashua School Nashua, MT 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley View School

What grades does Valley View School serve?

Valley View School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Valley View School?

Valley View School has an enrollment of approximately 33 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley View School?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley View School is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley View School rank in MT?

Valley View School ranks #583 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Valley View School's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley View School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Valley View School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley View School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Valley View School a charter school?

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

Is Valley View School a Title I school?

No, Valley View School is not currently a Title I school.

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

45.5% of students at Valley View 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

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
33
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.4%

District

Valley View Elem
District Enrollment
33
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,472
District Rank
#1 of 1

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