Very Good
#128 of 603 schools in MT
Top 21% in state
Based on limited data
West Side Elementary
Elementary School · Sidney Elem
200 3rd Ave SE, Sidney, MT 59270
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sidney
#2 of 5
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#79 of 319
In district
#2 of 3
Sidney Elem
Academic performance
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About West Side Elementary
West Side Elementary serves 311 students in grades prekindergarten through second in Sidney, Montana, offering a strong foundation for young learners in this Richland County community. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 and 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention during these crucial early years of education. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking 76th among Montana's 605 elementary schools, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide.
Students show promising achievement with 57% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 52% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. West Side Elementary operates within a stable community where the median household income is $62,500 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 7.7%. The surrounding neighborhood features median home values of $249,600, reflecting a working-class community committed to establishing roots in the area.
As one of Sidney's primary elementary schools, West Side Elementary serves families in this remote Montana town of over 8,500 residents, providing early childhood education in a close-knit community setting where students can develop strong foundational skills.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
West Side Elementary — Students at West Side Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2018-19)
Based on 2 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
How West Side Elementary Compares
See how West Side Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
200 3rd Ave SE, Sidney, MT 59270
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Side Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bainville School (rated 8.6/10, 29.6 miles away, in nearby Bainville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fairview School (rated 6.9/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Fairview), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sidney, see our Sidney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sidney Middle School Sidney | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sidney | 0.6 mi | — |
| Central Elementary Sidney | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Sidney High School Sidney | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Rau School Sidney | 3.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Brorson School Sidney | 7.3 mi | — |
| Fairview School Fairview | 11.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Fairview 6-8 Fairview | 11.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Fairview High School Fairview | 11.1 mi | 5.7 |
| EAST FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairview | 11.7 mi | 6.1 |
| YELLOWSTONE VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fairview | 11.7 mi | 3.7 |
| HORSE CREEK SCHOOL Cartwright | 12.6 mi | — |
| Savage School Savage | 19.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Savage 7-8 Savage | 19.8 mi | — |
| Savage High School Savage | 19.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Bainville School Bainville | 29.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Bainville High School Bainville | 29.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Bainville 7-8 Bainville | 29.6 mi | — |
| Lambert School Lambert | 21.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Lambert 7-8 Lambert | 21.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59270 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,031
Median Home Value
$260,600
Median Rent
$876/mo
Population
8,844
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
68.5%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Median Age
38.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Side Elementary has a median household income of $68,031. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,600, with a median rent of $876/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central School Helena, MT | 7.5 |
| Fred W Graff School Laurel, MT | 7.5 |
| Lewis & Clark School Missoula, MT | 7.5 |
| Russell School Missoula, MT | 7.5 |
| Beartooth School Billings, MT | 7.3 |
| Emerson School Butte, MT | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Side Elementary
What grades does West Side Elementary serve?
West Side Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.
How many students attend West Side Elementary?
West Side Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 311 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Side Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at West Side Elementary is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Side Elementary rank in MT?
West Side Elementary is ranked #128 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is West Side Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Side Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 West Side Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Side Elementary has 52.0% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Side Elementary a charter school?
No, West Side Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Side Elementary a Title I school?
No, West Side Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Side Elementary?
42.4% of students at West Side Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sidney). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 311
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (406) 433-5501
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sidney Elem- District Enrollment
- 852
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,008
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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