Knees School

Knees School is a small elementary school in Carter, MT, serving grades PK-8 with just 13 students. While the school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, its academic performance has declined significantly over the past decade, dropping from a 3-star rating in 2014-2015 to a 1-star rating in 2024-2025. In the 2024-2025 school year, only 33.33% of Knees School students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, and 0% were proficient in Mathematics and Science, far below the state averages.

Interestingly, the nearby Benton Lake School, which also serves a small student population, has a higher academic performance than Knees School, with 28.57% proficiency in English Language Arts and 14.29% in Mathematics. This suggests that Knees School may have room for improvement in its educational practices. Additionally, Knees School spends $20,634 per student, which is significantly higher than the state average, but this high spending does not seem to translate into improved academic outcomes for the students.

The lack of data on the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at Knees School makes it difficult to assess the potential impact of socioeconomic factors on the school's performance. However, the overall analysis of Knees School in Carter, MT, reveals several areas of concern, including declining academic performance, low proficiency rates, and high spending with limited returns. To improve the school's outcomes, the Knees Elementary District and school leadership may need to closely examine their educational practices, resource allocation, and strategies for supporting student learning and achievement.