Very Good
#174 of 603 schools in MT
Top 29% in state
Willow Creek School
Elementary School · Willow Creek Elem
PO Box 189, Willow Creek, MT 59760
Enrollment
34
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
34
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Montana elementary schools
#99 of 319
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Willow Creek School
Willow Creek School is a small elementary school nestled in the remote rural setting of Willow Creek, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, this community-focused institution has an enrollment of just 34 students, making it a tight-knit environment where each child receives individual attention. With a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1 and five full-time equivalent teachers, Willow Creek School ensures that every pupil gets the support they need to thrive academically.
While Willow Creek School's MySchoolScout Rating is 5.7 out of 10 and its state ranking places it at #265 among Montana’s 605 schools (56th percentile), the school is committed to continuous improvement and student development. In terms of academic performance, 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 28% meet proficiency standards in Math, indicating areas where the school is focusing on growth. Willow Creek School stands as a pillar of education in its rural community, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for young learners.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 34 students, Willow Creek 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1, Willow Creek School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Willow Creek 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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Willow Creek School — Students at Willow Creek 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
8.8%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How Willow Creek School Compares
See how Willow Creek School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 49.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 189, Willow Creek, MT 59760
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Willow Creek School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cardwell School (rated 9.1/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Cardwell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Story Creek Elem (rated 7.7/10, 21.4 miles away, in nearby Belgrade), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ridge View Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Belgrade), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Willow Creek, see our Willow Creek schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Willow Creek 7-8 Willow Creek | 0.0 mi | — |
| Willow Creek High School Willow Creek | 0.0 mi | — |
| Three Forks Elem School Three Forks | 6.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Three Forks 7-8 Three Forks | 6.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Three Forks High School Three Forks | 6.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Harrison School Harrison | 10.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Harrison High School Harrison | 10.9 mi | — |
| Harrison 7-8 Harrison | 10.9 mi | — |
| Cardwell School Cardwell | 14.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Manhattan Elem Manhattan | 15.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Manhattan 6-8 Manhattan | 15.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Manhattan H S Manhattan | 15.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Amsterdam School Manhattan | 16.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Ridge View Elementary Belgrade | 21.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Story Creek Elem Belgrade | 21.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Whitehall 6-8 Whitehall | 22.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Whitehall Elementary Whitehall | 22.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Whitehall High School Whitehall | 22.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Saddle Peak Elementary Belgrade | 22.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Belgrade Middle School Belgrade | 22.5 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59760 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,167
Median Home Value
$239,300
Median Rent
$867/mo
Population
205
College Educated
16.9%
Homeownership
82.7%
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Median Age
55.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Willow Creek School has a median household income of $69,167. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $239,300, with a median rent of $867/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| NKWUSM SALISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL Arlee, MT | 7.2 |
| Rosebud School Rosebud, MT | 7.3 |
| BOZEMAN SUMMIT SCHOOOL Bozeman, MT | 7.0 |
| Saco School Saco, MT | 7.0 |
| Ryegate School Ryegate, MT | 7.5 |
| LaMotte School Bozeman, MT | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Willow Creek School
What grades does Willow Creek School serve?
Willow Creek School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Willow Creek School?
Willow Creek School has an enrollment of approximately 34 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Creek School?
The student-teacher ratio at Willow Creek School is 6.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Willow Creek School rank in MT?
Willow Creek School is ranked #174 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Willow Creek School's MySchoolScout rating?
Willow Creek School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Willow Creek School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willow Creek School has 28.3% math proficiency and 41.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Willow Creek School a charter school?
No, Willow Creek School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Willow Creek School a Title I school?
No, Willow Creek School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow Creek School?
8.8% of students at Willow Creek 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
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 34
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 8.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Gallatin County
- Phone
- (406) 285-6991
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Willow Creek Elem- District Enrollment
- 46
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,763
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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