Skip to main content

Very Good

#131 of 603 schools in MT

Top 22% in state

West Yellowstone School

Elementary School · West Yellowstone K-12

Box 460, West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Enrollment

140

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#131 of 603

In West Yellowstone

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

West Yellowstone K-12

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around West Yellowstone 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.

West Yellowstone School

7.8/10

Elementary School in West Yellowstone · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Yellowstone HS

4.2/10

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

West Yellowstone 6-8

4.9/10

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

About West Yellowstone School

West Yellowstone School is a public elementary school in West Yellowstone, MT, part of West Yellowstone K-12. West Yellowstone School serves approximately 140 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. West Yellowstone School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #131 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for West Yellowstone School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts above MT schools
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 140 students, West Yellowstone 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.

West Yellowstone 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.62 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,324
Chronic Absenteeism29.3%

West Yellowstone School — Students at West Yellowstone School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.7% (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
52%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
52%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How West Yellowstone School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
78th percentile in MT
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
5.9/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.3%

Location

Box 460, West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Yellowstone School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gardiner School (rated 8.2/10, 31.9 miles away, in nearby Gardiner), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Gardiner High School (rated 6.4/10, 31.9 miles away, in nearby Gardiner), a more accessible option. Additionally, West Yellowstone 6-8 (rated 4.9/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in West Yellowstone, see our West Yellowstone schools guide .

Nearby Schools

6 within 31.9 mi
School Distance Rating
West Yellowstone HS West Yellowstone 0.0 mi 4.2
West Yellowstone 6-8 West Yellowstone 0.0 mi 4.9
ISLAND PARK CHARTER SCHOOL Island Park 16.0 mi
Gardiner School Gardiner 31.9 mi 8.2
Gardiner 7-8 Gardiner 31.9 mi
Gardiner High School Gardiner 31.9 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59758 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,750

Median Home Value

$476,600

Median Rent

$1,050/mo

Population

2,097

College Educated

31.6%

Homeownership

66%

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

38.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Sheridan Elementary Schl Sheridan, MT 7.8
Fort Shaw Elem School Simms, MT 7.7
Longfellow School Baker, MT 7.7
MIDDLE CREEK MONTESSORI Bozeman, MT 7.7
Broadview School Broadview, MT 7.9
Chester-Joplin-Inverness Schl Chester, MT 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Yellowstone School

What grades does West Yellowstone School serve?

West Yellowstone School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend West Yellowstone School?

West Yellowstone School has an enrollment of approximately 140 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Yellowstone School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Yellowstone School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Yellowstone School rank in MT?

West Yellowstone School ranks #131 of 603 schools in MT.

What is West Yellowstone School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Yellowstone School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 West Yellowstone School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Yellowstone School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is West Yellowstone School a charter school?

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

Is West Yellowstone School a Title I school?

No, West Yellowstone School is not currently a Title I school.

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

47.9% of students at West Yellowstone 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.

7 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Gallatin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.3%

District

West Yellowstone K-12
District Enrollment
273
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,324
District Rank
#1 of 3

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.