Needs Improvement
#595 of 603 schools in MT
Vida School
Elementary School · Vida Elem
PO Box 180, Circle, MT 59215
Enrollment
45
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
45
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Circle
#5 of 5
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#313 of 319
About Vida School
Vida School is a small, rural elementary school located in Circle, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 45 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs. Vida School has three full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing a solid educational foundation for their young charges.
Academically, Vida School’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.7 out of 10, placing it at number 415 in the state of Montana among 605 schools, which reflects room for improvement but also highlights areas where the school excels beyond test scores. In reading and ELA, 58% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 45% meet proficiency standards. Set in a remote rural area, Vida School is deeply embedded within its community, offering a tight-knit environment for students to grow and thrive.
The school's setting provides unique opportunities for outdoor education and community engagement, fostering a close bond between the school and its surroundings.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 45 students, Vida 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, Vida 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Vida School — Students at Vida School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
6.7%
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: 1.5/10.
How Vida School Compares
See how Vida School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 180, Circle, MT 59215
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vida School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bo Peep School (rated 8.5/10, 29.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southside School (rated 7.3/10, 18.8 miles away, in nearby Wolf Point), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Frontier School (rated 7.2/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Wolf Point), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Circle, see our Circle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
17 within 23.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Frontier School Wolf Point | 18.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Frontier 7-8 Wolf Point | 18.1 mi | — |
| Southside School Wolf Point | 18.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Wolf Point 7-8 Wolf Point | 19.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Wolf Point High School Wolf Point | 19.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Northside School Wolf Point | 19.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Poplar 7-8 Poplar | 23.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Poplar School Poplar | 23.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Poplar 5-6 School Poplar | 23.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Poplar High School Poplar | 23.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Bo Peep School Circle | 29.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Redwater School Circle | 29.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Redwater 7-8 Circle | 29.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Circle High School Circle | 29.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Richey School Richey | 23.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Richey 7-8 Richey | 23.9 mi | — |
| Richey High School Richey | 23.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,808
Median Home Value
$197,500
Median Rent
$545/mo
Population
1,025
College Educated
25.5%
Homeownership
78.8%
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Median Age
49.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vida School has a median household income of $84,808. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $197,500, with a median rent of $545/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% 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 |
|---|---|
| Dixon Elementary Dixon, MT | 3.4 |
| Harrison School Harrison, MT | 3.3 |
| Nashua School Nashua, MT | 3.6 |
| Lavina Elementary Lavina, MT | 3.1 |
| Froid Elementary School Froid, MT | 4.1 |
| Dutton/Brady Elementary Dutton, MT | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vida School
What grades does Vida School serve?
Vida School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Vida School?
Vida School has an enrollment of approximately 45 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vida School?
The student-teacher ratio at Vida School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vida School rank in MT?
Vida School is ranked #595 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Vida School's MySchoolScout rating?
Vida School has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Vida School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vida School has 45.0% math proficiency and 58.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Vida School a charter school?
No, Vida School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vida School a Title I school?
No, Vida School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vida School?
6.7% of students at Vida 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 45
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 6.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- McCone County
- Phone
- (406) 525-3374
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Vida Elem- District Enrollment
- 45
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,152
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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