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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.0Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,791

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

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

8.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
71th percentile in MT
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
9%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (443/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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