Summary:
The Browning Elementary district in Montana is home to 6 elementary schools that serve a predominantly Native American student population across various grade levels, from early elementary (PK-1) to upper elementary (4-5) and even PK-8. While the schools vary in size, from just 15 students to 289, the data reveals stark disparities in academic performance, with one standout school contrasting sharply with the low-performing majority.
Glendale School, a small school with just 15 students, stands out as a relative high performer, consistently ranking among the top elementary schools in the state and earning 4 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger. Its students have significantly higher proficiency rates in math (27.27%) and reading (54.55%) compared to the district and state averages. In contrast, the other schools in the Browning Elementary district, such as Browning Elementary, Napi School, and Big Sky School, all rank in the bottom 10% of Montana elementary schools and have extremely low proficiency rates, with less than 5% of students meeting standards in math and reading.
The data also reveals potential equity issues, as the schools serve a predominantly Native American student population and likely have high rates of students from low-income households. The varying levels of per-student spending across the schools, ranging from $11,206 at Napi School to $19,080 at Babb School, may be a factor in the performance differences, suggesting that the lower-performing schools may be facing funding challenges that limit their ability to provide the resources and support needed for student success.
Thank you for your feedback!