Hot Springs School

Hot Springs School is an elementary school located in Hot Springs, MT, serving grades PK-6 with a total enrollment of 111 students. The school is part of the Hot Springs K-12 District, which has seen a decline in its statewide ranking and rating in recent years.

Hot Springs School's academic performance, as measured by state assessments, is significantly below the state averages, with only 20.59% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and Mathematics, compared to the state averages of 43.09% and 36.77%, respectively. The school also has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 65.77%, which is much higher than the state average. Despite spending $13,727 per student, which is higher than the nearby Valley View School ($8,810 per student) and Plains Elementary School ($9,115 per student), the academic performance does not reflect a commensurate return on investment.

Comparing Hot Springs School to its nearby counterparts, Valley View School has a higher ranking and rating, as well as better academic performance and lower free/reduced lunch rates, which could serve as a model for best practices. Meanwhile, the high free/reduced lunch rate at Plains Elementary School, similar to Hot Springs, suggests that economic disadvantage may be a significant factor impacting academic achievement in the region. The school and district will need to examine how resources are being utilized and potentially reallocate them to targeted interventions or support services to address the challenges and improve educational outcomes for the students of Hot Springs School.