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#363 of 603 schools in MT

Willow Creek School

Elementary School · Willow Creek Elem

PO Box 189, Willow Creek, MT 59760

Enrollment

34

Student-Teacher

6.8:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#363 of 603

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Willow Creek School

5.9/10

Elementary School in Willow Creek · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Willow Creek 7-8

Nearby

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

Willow Creek High School

Nearby

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

About Willow Creek School

Willow Creek School is a public elementary school in Willow Creek, MT, part of Willow Creek Elem. Willow Creek School serves approximately 34 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 6.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Willow Creek School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #363 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Willow Creek School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below MT schools
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 34 students, Willow Creek 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.

At 6.8:1 students to teachers, Willow Creek School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Willow Creek 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 Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-4.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,763

Willow Creek School — Students at Willow Creek School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

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 44.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 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
75%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
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: 4.5/10.

How Willow Creek School Compares

See how Willow Creek School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in MT
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent

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. Ridge View Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Belgrade), which scores notably higher. Another option is Amsterdam School (rated 8.5/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Manhattan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cardwell School (rated 8.4/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Cardwell), which scores notably higher. 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 6.6
Three Forks 7-8 Three Forks 6.8 mi 5.3
Three Forks High School Three Forks 6.8 mi 5.3
Harrison School Harrison 10.9 mi 4.1
Harrison High School Harrison 10.9 mi
Harrison 7-8 Harrison 10.9 mi
Cardwell School Cardwell 14.9 mi 8.4
Manhattan Elem Manhattan 15.4 mi 7.8
Manhattan 6-8 Manhattan 15.4 mi 6.9
Manhattan H S Manhattan 15.4 mi 7.5
Amsterdam School Manhattan 16.3 mi 8.5
Ridge View Elementary Belgrade 21.0 mi 8.6
Story Creek Elem Belgrade 21.4 mi 7.9
Whitehall 6-8 Whitehall 22.0 mi 6.4
Whitehall Elementary Whitehall 22.0 mi 8.2
Whitehall High School Whitehall 22.0 mi 5.3
Saddle Peak Elementary Belgrade 22.4 mi 8.2
Belgrade Middle School Belgrade 22.5 mi 6.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bozeman Online Charter School Bozeman, MT 5.9
Custer School Custer, MT 6.0
TRINITY LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Miles City, MT 5.8
Vida School Circle, MT 5.7
Winnett School Winnett, MT 5.7
Rapelje School Rapelje, MT 6.2

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 ranks #363 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Willow Creek School's MySchoolScout rating?

Willow Creek School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Willow Creek School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Willow Creek School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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

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

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