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Cardwell Elementary

At a glance

33^rdof 387 Montana districts▼ 6

Better than 91% of Montana districts

Elementary 1Grades PK, KG-8

80 Highway 359
Cardwell, MT 59721·(406) 287-3321·All Montana district rankings →

Statewide performance 2021–2025

2025: better than 91.5% of districts

School

Students

5-star school

Top rankedCardwell School37^th of 401 Montana elementary schools

Compare Montana districts →See the top-ranked Montana schools →

Summary:

Cardwell Elementary is home to a single standout school, Cardwell School, which serves grades PK-8 and has a total enrollment of 35 students. Despite its small size, Cardwell School consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Montana, placing in the top 10-15% statewide. The school's exceptional academic performance, with proficiency rates significantly exceeding state averages in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science, is a testament to the high-quality education it provides.

Cardwell School's success is further highlighted by its low student-teacher ratio of 7:1, allowing for a personalized learning environment that likely contributes to its strong academic outcomes. Additionally, the school serves a diverse population, with a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, demonstrating its ability to support the academic achievement of students from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

As part of the Cardwell Elementary District, which is ranked 33 out of 387 districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, Cardwell School is a shining example of educational excellence in the region. Its consistent top rankings and exceptional academic performance make it a standout choice for families seeking a high-quality elementary education for their children.

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				MAST English Language Arts (2025)	MAST Mathematics (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAST English Language Arts All Grades	MAST Mathematics All Grades	Total
Cardwell School	Public	PK, KG-8	80 Highway 359	Cardwell	59721	Jefferson County	Cardwell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 287-3321	35	5	7.0	57.1%	28 (80.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (5.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (5.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (8.6%)	83.7	37^th of 401 public elementary schools	90.8%		81.9	33^rd of 212 public elementary schools	84.4%	4	65.0	55.0	$17,366

Districts nearby

District	Distance	# of Schools	Statewide Rank
Whitehall Elementary	7.09 mi	2	101^st
Whitehall High School	7.12 mi	1	301^st
Harrison K-12 Schools	13.56 mi	3	334^th
Willow Creek Elementary	14.95 mi	2	263^rd
Willow Creek High School	14.95 mi	1	100^th

See the top MT Montana districts

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.