Summary:
The Heart Butte K-12 Schools district in Montana is home to a single elementary school, Heart Butte Elementary, which serves a predominantly Native American student population. Despite the school's small size and relatively low student-teacher ratio, its academic performance is alarmingly low, with proficiency rates in core subjects like mathematics, reading, and science well below the state average.
Heart Butte Elementary has consistently ranked among the lowest-performing schools in Montana, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. In the 2022-2023 school year, only 1.96% of students were proficient or better in mathematics, 0% were proficient or better in reading, and 0% were proficient or better in science. These dismal results are in stark contrast to the statewide averages of 36.59% for mathematics, 46.03% for reading, and 37.03% for science. The school's high per-student funding of $24,057, which is significantly higher than the state average, suggests that factors beyond just funding may be contributing to the school's persistent underperformance.
The homogeneous student population at Heart Butte Elementary, with 98.95% of students identifying as Native American, highlights the need for culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices to address the unique needs of this community. Addressing the academic challenges facing this school will likely require a multifaceted approach, including targeted interventions, community engagement, and a thorough examination of the underlying factors contributing to the school's poor performance.
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