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Excellent

#1 of 603 schools in MT

Top 1% in state

Zurich School

Elementary School · Zurich Elem

PO Box 847, Zurich, MT 59547

Enrollment

30

Student-Teacher

7.5:1

Score

9.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Montana elementary schools

#1 of 319

Academic performance

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Zurich School

Zurich School is a public elementary school in Zurich, Montana, serving students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. With just 30 students enrolled, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 7.5 to 1, giving each child substantial individual attention from their teachers. The academic results here are exceptional by any measure.

Zurich School earned a composite score of 9.8 out of 10, with a perfect 10.0 for academics and a 9.9 for growth. Those numbers place it first out of 603 public schools in Montana — meaning it outperforms 100% of schools across the state. Among elementary schools specifically, it holds the top position out of 319 in Montana.

That combination of near-perfect academic achievement and near-perfect growth is rare. Growth scores reflect how much students improve over time, so a 9.9 signals that students are not just performing at a high level but advancing rapidly regardless of where they start. For families weighing school options in Montana, Zurich School's data profile stands apart from every other public option in the state.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 30 students, Zurich 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 7.5:1, Zurich 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, Zurich 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 Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+8.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics10.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+50.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,900

Zurich School — Students at Zurich School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 75.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
75%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Zurich School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.8/10
100th percentile in MT
Academic
10.0/10
10.0/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 847, Zurich, MT 59547

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Zurich School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadowlark School (rated 5.3/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Chinook), a more accessible option. Additionally, Harlem Elementary School (rated 3.5/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Harlem), a more accessible option. For more schools in Zurich, see our Zurich schools guide .

Nearby Schools

11 within 32.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Chinook 7-8 Chinook 9.1 mi 3.4
Chinook High School Chinook 9.1 mi 6.7
Meadowlark School Chinook 9.4 mi 5.3
Harlem Elementary School Harlem 11.7 mi 3.5
Harlem 7-8 Harlem 12.2 mi 5.4
Harlem High School Harlem 12.2 mi 5.7
North Harlem Elementary Harlem 12.6 mi
WHITE CLAY IMMERSION SCHOOL Harlem 14.3 mi
Cleveland School Chinook 22.5 mi
Hartland Elementary School Chinook 31.6 mi
Bear Paw School Chinook 32.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59547 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,667

Median Home Value

$162,500

Population

55

College Educated

0%

Homeownership

50%

Poverty Rate

1.8%

Median Age

48.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Zurich School has a median household income of $41,667. It is a community where 0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,500. The local poverty rate of 1.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Moore School Moore, MT 9.7
Winnett School Winnett, MT 9.3
Trinity School Canyon Creek, MT 9.2
Cardwell School Cardwell, MT 9.1
Denton School Denton, MT 8.9
Morin School Billings, MT 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Zurich School

What grades does Zurich School serve?

Zurich School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Zurich School?

Zurich School has an enrollment of approximately 30 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Zurich School?

The student-teacher ratio at Zurich School is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Zurich School rank in MT?

Zurich School is ranked #1 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Zurich School's MySchoolScout rating?

Zurich School has a composite rating of 9.8 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 Zurich School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Zurich School has 75.0% math proficiency and 58.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Zurich School a charter school?

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

Is Zurich School a Title I school?

No, Zurich School is not currently a Title I school.

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

100.0% of students at Zurich 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (172/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Blaine County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Zurich Elem
District Enrollment
30
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,792
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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