Belt School

Q: Is Belt School a good school?

Belt School ranks 82 nd of 332 Montana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Belt School is an elementary school located in Belt, MT, serving grades PK-6 with a total enrollment of 197 students. The school is part of the Belt Elementary District, which is ranked 88 out of 300 districts in Montana and rated 4 out of 5 stars by SchoolDigger.

Belt School consistently outperforms the state average on Montana state assessments in mathematics, reading, and science, with 60.82% of students proficient or better in mathematics compared to the state average of 36.59%, and 46.39% proficient or better in reading compared to the state average of 46.03%. However, the school has a relatively homogeneous student population, with over 96% of students identifying as White, in contrast to nearby schools like Lewis & Clark School and Chief Joseph School, which have more diverse student populations. Belt School also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 14 to 16.2 students per teacher over the past three school years, lower than some nearby schools like Mountain View School (13.9) and Lewis & Clark School (16.6).

While Belt School has historically been a top-performing school, its statewide ranking has declined in recent years, from 13th in 2015-2016 to 82nd in 2022-2023. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as changes in the school's student population, curriculum, or teaching practices, or it could be a result of other schools in the state improving at a faster rate. However, when compared to the nearby schools, Belt School generally outperforms them on academic measures, suggesting that it is still providing a high-quality education to its students.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

1 Church Street
Belt, MT 59412

(406) 277-3351

District: Belt Elementary

SchoolDigger Rank:
82^nd of 332 Montana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,154

Students who attend Belt School usually attend:

Middle:	Belt 7-8
High:	Belt High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.9

Number of students: 195

Racial breakdown:

White:

93.3%

Asian:

2.1%

Hispanic:

1.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 36.4%

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Compare Belt School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Belt School ranks better than 75.3% of elementary schools in Montana. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 75.8. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (93.3%), Asian (2.1%), American Indian (1.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 36.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Belt School is 15.9. (See more...)

Compare Belt School employs 12.2 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Belt School is $11,154.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Belt School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Belt Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Belt Elementary 88^th of 300 Montana school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Belt School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MT State Percentile
2004	50.12	117^th	217	46.1%
2005	64.02	89^th	218	59.2%
2006	72.21	44^th	234	81.2%
2007	71.40	50^th	230	78.3%
2008	79.01	19^th	194	90.2%
2009	55.26	103^rd	190	45.8%
2010	51.10	140^th	241	41.9%
2011	50.57	148^th	247	40.1%
2012	82.59	8^th	244	96.7%
2013	78.22	31^st	246	87.4%
2015	84.88	37^th	287	87.1%
2016	92.50	13^th	191	93.2%
2021	91.34	32^nd	356	91.0%
2022	87.24	47^th	329	85.7%
2023	75.80	82^nd	332	75.3%

See the entire list of Montana Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Montana Office of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Montana Office of Public Instruction

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Belt School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1990	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	217	217
1991	151	0	1	2	6	n/a	n/a	0	160
1992	149	0	1	3	5	n/a	n/a	0	158
1993	150	3	0	1	3	n/a	n/a	0	157
1994	151	3	0	1	5	n/a	n/a	0	160
1995	189	0	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	191
1996	189	0	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	191
1997	182	0	6	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	189
1998	173	0	3	0	8	n/a	n/a	0	184
1999	162	3	2	0	9	n/a	n/a	0	176
2000	182	3	1	0	3	n/a	n/a	0	189
2001	161	2	0	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	165
2002	130	5	0	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	137
2003	130	5	0	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	137
2004	121	1	0	0	3	n/a	n/a	0	125
2005	121	3	0	0	3	n/a	n/a	0	127
2006	135	5	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	140
2007	152	2	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	157
2008	153	2	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	155
2009	128	0	0	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	132
2010	134	2	0	1	3	n/a	n/a	0	140
2011	123	0	0	2	3	0	3	0	131
2012	131	0	0	3	1	0	4	0	139
2013	159	0	0	2	2	0	4	0	167
2014	160	0	1	6	3	0	2	0	172
2015	147	0	1	7	3	0	2	0	160
2016	154	0	0	5	4	0	2	0	165
2017	153	1	0	6	3	0	1	0	164
2018	175	2	0	7	2	0	1	0	187
2019	137	1	0	9	0	0	1	0	148
2020	167	1	0	11	0	0	1	0	180
2021	167	2	0	10	0	0	0	0	179
2022	182	2	0	5	0	0	0	0	189
2023	190	2	0	3	2	0	0	0	197
2024	182	1	4	3	3	2	0	0	195

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Belt School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	217	25.0	8.6	16.1
1991	160	8.7	18.3	26.3
1992	158	8.4	18.8	23.4
1993	157	8.4	18.7	31.2
1994	160	10.5	15.2	27.5
1995	191	10.3	18.5	31.9
1996	191	10.3	18.5	31.9
1997	189	10.5	18.0	32.8
1998	184	12.1	15.2	26.6
1999	176	13.4	13.1	40.9
2000	189	14.9	12.7	50.3
2001	165	12.6	13.1	41.8
2002	137	10.5	13.0	36.5
2003	137	10.5	13.0	36.5
2004	125	10.0	12.5	37.6
2005	127	9.6	13.2	33.1
2006	140	10.6	13.2	40
2007	157	10.4	15.1	33.1
2008	155	10.0	15.5	34.8
2009	132	10.8	12.2	38.6
2010	140	10.7	13.0	42.1
2011	131	10.7	12.1	48.9
2012	139	11.5	12.0	37.4
2013	167	12.1	13.7	41.3
2014	172	12.2	14.0	43.6
2015	160	13.0	12.3	40
2016	165	12.0	13.7	38.8
2017	164	11.3	14.5	31.7
2018	187	12.4	15.0	31
2019	148	11.8	12.4	43.2
2020	180	12.7	14.1	34.4
2021	179	12.7	14.0	n/a
2022	189	12.1	15.5	n/a
2023	197	12.1	16.2	n/a
2024	195	12.2	15.9	36.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Belt School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	217	25.0	8.6	16.1
1991	160	8.7	18.3	26.3
1992	158	8.4	18.8	23.4
1993	157	8.4	18.7	31.2
1994	160	10.5	15.2	27.5
1995	191	10.3	18.5	31.9
1996	191	10.3	18.5	31.9
1997	189	10.5	18.0	32.8
1998	184	12.1	15.2	26.6
1999	176	13.4	13.1	40.9
2000	189	14.9	12.7	50.3
2001	165	12.6	13.1	41.8
2002	137	10.5	13.0	36.5
2003	137	10.5	13.0	36.5
2004	125	10.0	12.5	37.6
2005	127	9.6	13.2	33.1
2006	140	10.6	13.2	40
2007	157	10.4	15.1	33.1
2008	155	10.0	15.5	34.8
2009	132	10.8	12.2	38.6
2010	140	10.7	13.0	42.1
2011	131	10.7	12.1	48.9
2012	139	11.5	12.0	37.4
2013	167	12.1	13.7	41.3
2014	172	12.2	14.0	43.6
2015	160	13.0	12.3	40
2016	165	12.0	13.7	38.8
2017	164	11.3	14.5	31.7
2018	187	12.4	15.0	31
2019	148	11.8	12.4	43.2
2020	180	12.7	14.1	34.4
2021	179	12.7	14.0	n/a
2022	189	12.1	15.5	n/a
2023	197	12.1	16.2	n/a
2024	195	12.2	15.9	36.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Belt School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2021	$12,036
2022	$10,204
2023	$11,154

Data source: Montana Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Belt School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	148	197	33.1%
African American	1	2	100%
American Indian	0	2
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	9	3	66.7%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	137	190	38.7%
Two or More Races	1	0	100%

Schools Near Belt School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2023)				Ranking (2022)				Montana State Tests Mathematics (2023)	Montana State Tests Reading (2023)	Montana State Tests Science (2023)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
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 (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	SchoolDigger Rating (2023)	Average Standard Score (2022)	Statewide Rank (2022)	State Percentile (2022)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Montana State Tests Mathematics All Grades	Montana State Tests Reading All Grades	Montana State Tests Science All Grades	Total
Belt School	Public	PK, KG-6	1 Church Street	Belt	59412	Cascade County	Belt Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 277-3351	195	12	15.9	36.4%	182 (93.3%)	1 (0.5%)	3 (1.5%)	4 (2.1%)	3 (1.5%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	75.8	82^nd of 332 public elementary schools	75.3%		87.2	47^th of 329 public elementary schools	85.7%	35	60.8	46.4	50.0	$11,154
Pleasant Valley School	Public	PK, KG-8	1 Church Street	Belt	59412	Cascade County	Belt Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 277-3351	25	2	11.6	88.0%	25 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	43.1	213^th of 332 public elementary schools	35.8%		46.7	211^th of 329 public elementary schools	35.9%	2	47.4	21.1		$10,541
Hill Top Colony School	Public	PK, KG-8	909 Spring Creek Road	Stockett	59480	Cascade County	Centerville Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 736-5169	22	2	10.7		22 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Centerville School	Public	PK, KG-5	693 Stockett Rd	Sand Coulee	59472	Cascade County	Centerville Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 736-5167	124	9	14.1	55.6%	109 (87.9%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.8%)	46.1	201^st of 332 public elementary schools	39.5%		40.3	238^th of 329 public elementary schools	27.7%	37	51.2	45.2	5.6	$11,652
Big Stone School	Public	PK, KG-8	251 Goonhill Road	Sand Coulee	59472	Cascade County	Centerville Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 736-5167	20	2	9.8		20 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	51.5	184^th of 332 public elementary schools	44.6%		56.1	166^th of 329 public elementary schools	49.5%	18	56.3	25.0		$9,154
Highwood School	Public	PK, KG-5	160 West Street South	Highwood	59450	Chouteau County	Highwood K-12	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 733-2081	60	5	12.0	36.7%	55 (91.7%)	2 (3.3%)	1 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.3%)	80.4	64^th of 332 public elementary schools	80.7%		86.1	57^th of 329 public elementary schools	82.7%	7	52.4	57.1		$16,112
Chief Joseph School	Public	PK, KG-6	5305 3rd Avenue South	Great Falls	59405	Cascade County	Great Falls Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 268-6675	262	20	13.0	59.2%	183 (69.8%)	3 (1.1%)	20 (7.6%)	1 (0.4%)	16 (6.1%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (14.9%)	60.7	138^th of 332 public elementary schools	58.4%		53.9	180^th of 329 public elementary schools	45.3%	42	49.3	49.3	32.4	$13,502
Loy School	Public	PK, KG-6	501 57th Street North	Great Falls	59405	Cascade County	Great Falls Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 268-6885	405	26	15.4	32.8%	263 (64.9%)	19 (4.7%)	57 (14.1%)	9 (2.2%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (12.6%)	66.1	119^th of 332 public elementary schools	64.2%		87.2	50^th of 329 public elementary schools	84.8%	69	40.7	50.6	45.5	$11,256
Mountain View School	Public	PK, KG-6	3420 15th Avenue South	Great Falls	59405	Cascade County	Great Falls Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 268-7305	330	30	11.0	91.8%	213 (64.5%)	2 (0.6%)	24 (7.3%)	2 (0.6%)	41 (12.4%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (14.5%)	35.5	241^st of 332 public elementary schools	27.4%		31.4	261^st of 329 public elementary schools	20.7%	20	27.4	37.1	31.1	$13,489
Lewis & Clark School	Public	PK, KG-6	3800 1st Avenue South	Great Falls	59405	Cascade County	Great Falls Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 268-6705	326	19	17.1	59.8%	245 (75.2%)	1 (0.3%)	39 (12.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (9.2%)	39.9	227^th of 332 public elementary schools	31.6%		49.7	200^th of 329 public elementary schools	39.2%	27	30.3	38.5	32.8	$11,811

Frequently Asked Questions about Belt School

What district is Belt School in?

Belt Elementary

What schools do graduates of Belt School attend?

Students who attend Belt School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Belt 7-8
High : Belt High School

How many students attend Belt School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 195 students attended Belt School.

Is Belt School a good school?

Belt School ranks 82^nd of 332 Montana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Belt School?

Students at Belt School are 93% White, 2% Asian, 2% Hispanic, 2% American Indian, 1% Pacific Islander.

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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.