Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#573 of 603 schools in MT

Vaughn School

Elementary School · Vaughn Elem

PO Box 279, Vaughn, MT 59487

Enrollment

112

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#573 of 603

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Vaughn School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Vaughn School

3.8/10

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

Vaughn 7-8

Nearby

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

Hillcrest Colony Elementary

Nearby

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

About Vaughn School

Vaughn School is a public elementary school in Vaughn, MT, part of Vaughn Elem. Vaughn School serves approximately 112 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Vaughn School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #573 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Vaughn School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.7 pts below MT schools
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 112 students, Vaughn 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.

Vaughn 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.

41% of students at Vaughn 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 Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,708
Chronic Absenteeism41.1%

Vaughn School — Students at Vaughn School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.4% (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
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Vaughn School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
5th percentile in MT
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.1%

Location

PO Box 279, Vaughn, MT 59487

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vaughn School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ulm School (rated 9.0/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Ulm), which scores notably higher. Another option is OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Great Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meadow Lark School (rated 7.8/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Great Falls), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Vaughn, see our Vaughn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Vaughn 7-8 Vaughn 0.0 mi
Hillcrest Colony Elementary Vaughn 5.4 mi
Ulm School Ulm 8.8 mi 9.0
Ulm Junior High Ulm 8.8 mi
Fairhaven Colony Ulm 11.4 mi 2.0
ELK CREEK MENNONITE Fort Shaw 9.3 mi
Power School Power 12.6 mi 7.3
Power 7-8 Power 12.6 mi
Power High School Power 12.6 mi 8.9
West Elementary Great Falls 10.7 mi 2.7
Valley View School Great Falls 10.8 mi 5.0
C M Russell High School Great Falls 11.1 mi 5.1
Meadow Lark School Great Falls 11.6 mi 7.8
Riverview School Great Falls 11.2 mi 6.6
Sacajawea School Great Falls 11.9 mi 6.2
North Middle School Great Falls 12.2 mi 7.5
Whittier School Great Falls 12.5 mi 2.5
Longfellow School Great Falls 12.9 mi 4.0
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls 13.1 mi 7.9
Fort Shaw Elem School Simms 13.2 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59487 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,894

Median Home Value

$213,200

Median Rent

$891/mo

Population

1,466

College Educated

12.2%

Homeownership

84.8%

Poverty Rate

18.1%

Median Age

40.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
YELLOWSTONE VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fairview, MT 3.7
Lincoln School Miles City, MT 4.3
Marion School Marion, MT 4.3
Meadowlark School Chinook, MT 4.3
Swan River School Bigfork, MT 3.3
Culbertson School Culbertson, MT 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vaughn School

What grades does Vaughn School serve?

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

How many students attend Vaughn School?

Vaughn School has an enrollment of approximately 112 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vaughn School?

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

How does Vaughn School rank in MT?

Vaughn School ranks #573 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Vaughn School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vaughn School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Vaughn School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Vaughn School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Vaughn School a charter school?

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

Is Vaughn School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Vaughn 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
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cascade County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.1%

District

Vaughn Elem
District Enrollment
143
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,708
District Rank
#1 of 1

Other Schools in This District

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.