Big Stone School

Q: Is Big Stone School a good school?

Big Stone School ranks 184 th of 332 Montana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Big Stone School is a small elementary school in Sand Coulee, MT, serving grades PK-8 with just 23 students. Despite its small size, the school has some notable strengths and areas for improvement compared to other schools in the region.

Academically, Big Stone School stands out for its strong performance in mathematics, with over 56% of students scoring proficient or better on state tests - significantly higher than the Centerville Elementary district (39.58%) and the state of Montana (36.59%). However, the school lags behind in reading proficiency, with only 25% of students meeting benchmarks compared to 37.06% for the district and 46.03% for the state. Big Stone School's overall statewide ranking has fluctuated over the years, ranging from 184 out of 332 elementary schools to as low as 236 out of 287, and it has consistently been rated 2 out of 5 stars by SchoolDigger.

One unique aspect of Big Stone School is its homogeneous student population - 100% White, compared to the nearby Centerville School, which has a more diverse student body. Big Stone School also benefits from a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 11.2 to 1, lower than the 12 to 1 ratio at Centerville. While Big Stone School's proximity to larger, higher-performing schools in the Great Falls Elementary district could present opportunities for collaboration, the school's unique strengths and challenges suggest areas for continued focus and improvement.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

251 Goonhill Road
Sand Coulee, MT 59472

(406) 736-5167

District: Centerville Elementary

SchoolDigger Rank:
184^th of 332 Montana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,154

Students who attend Big Stone School usually attend:

Middle:	Centerville 6-8
High:	Centerville High School

Student/teacher ratio: 11.2

Number of students: 23

Racial breakdown:

White:

100.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 15%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Big Stone School ranks worse than 55.4% of elementary schools in Montana. It also ranks first among 3 ranked elementary schools in the Centerville Elementary School District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 51.49. (See more...)

Compare Details Big Stone School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2012 the calculated Average Standard Score was 7.85. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (100%). (See more...)

Compare Details

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Big Stone School is 11.2. 2 elementary schools in the Centerville Elementary School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Big Stone School employs 2 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Big Stone School is $9,154. 2 elementary schools in the Centerville Elementary School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Centerville Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Centerville Elementary 200^th of 300 Montana school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Big Stone School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MT State Percentile
2010	12.47	225^th	241	6.6%
2011	10.85	236^th	247	4.5%
2012	13.20	223^rd	244	8.6%
2013	15.93	212^th	246	13.8%
2015	22.78	236^th	287	17.8%
2021	52.27	203^rd	356	43.0%
2022	56.10	166^th	329	49.5%
2023	51.49	184^th	332	44.6%

See the entire list of Montana Elementary School Rankings!

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

Rank History for Big Stone School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MT State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2011	12.94	142^nd	161	11.8%
2012	7.85	143^rd	156	8.3%

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 Big Stone 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	23	23
1991	22	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	22
1992	25	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	25
1993	24	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	24
1994	26	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	26
1995	24	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	24
1996	24	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	24
1997	24	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	24
1998	21	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	21
1999	23	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	23
2000	21	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	21
2001	22	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	22
2002	19	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	19
2003	19	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	19
2004	21	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	21
2005	22	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	22
2006	22	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	22
2007	17	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	17
2008	15	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	15
2009	14	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	14
2010	19	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	19
2011	22	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	22
2012	20	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	20
2013	25	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	25
2014	22	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	22
2015	25	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	25
2016	30	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	30
2017	31	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	31
2018	38	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	38
2019	37	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	37
2020	20	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	20
2021	22	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	22
2022	22	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	22
2023	23	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	23

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 Big Stone School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	23	2.0	11.5	n/a
1991	22	2.0	11.0	0
1992	25	2.0	12.5	n/a
1993	24	2.4	10.0	0
1994	26	2.4	10.8	0
1995	24	2.0	12.0	0
1996	24	2.0	12.0	0
1997	24	2.6	9.2	0
1998	21	2.6	8.1	0
1999	23	2.4	9.6	0
2000	21	2.4	8.8	0
2001	22	3.0	7.3	0
2002	19	2.2	8.6	0
2003	19	2.2	8.6	0
2004	21	2.2	9.5	0
2005	22	2.2	10.0	n/a
2006	22	2.2	10.0	n/a
2007	17	2.2	7.7	n/a
2008	15	2.2	6.8	n/a
2009	14	2.2	6.4	n/a
2010	19	1.6	11.2	n/a
2011	22	1.6	13.0	n/a
2012	20	2.1	9.1	0
2013	25	2.1	11.7	0
2014	22	2.1	10.3	0
2015	25	2.0	12.5	0
2016	30	2.0	15.0	0
2017	31	2.1	14.6	0
2018	38	2.0	18.4	0
2019	37	4.0	9.1	8.1
2020	20	2.0	9.8	15
2021	22	2.0	10.7	n/a
2022	22	2.0	10.7	n/a
2023	23	2.0	11.2	n/a

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 Big Stone School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	23	2.0	11.5	n/a
1991	22	2.0	11.0	0
1992	25	2.0	12.5	n/a
1993	24	2.4	10.0	0
1994	26	2.4	10.8	0
1995	24	2.0	12.0	0
1996	24	2.0	12.0	0
1997	24	2.6	9.2	0
1998	21	2.6	8.1	0
1999	23	2.4	9.6	0
2000	21	2.4	8.8	0
2001	22	3.0	7.3	0
2002	19	2.2	8.6	0
2003	19	2.2	8.6	0
2004	21	2.2	9.5	0
2005	22	2.2	10.0	n/a
2006	22	2.2	10.0	n/a
2007	17	2.2	7.7	n/a
2008	15	2.2	6.8	n/a
2009	14	2.2	6.4	n/a
2010	19	1.6	11.2	n/a
2011	22	1.6	13.0	n/a
2012	20	2.1	9.1	0
2013	25	2.1	11.7	0
2014	22	2.1	10.3	0
2015	25	2.0	12.5	0
2016	30	2.0	15.0	0
2017	31	2.1	14.6	0
2018	38	2.0	18.4	0
2019	37	4.0	9.1	8.1
2020	20	2.0	9.8	15
2021	22	2.0	10.7	n/a
2022	22	2.0	10.7	n/a
2023	23	2.0	11.2	n/a

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 Big Stone School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2021	$9,054
2022	$9,303
2023	$9,154

Data source: Montana Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Big Stone 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	37	23	37.8%
African American	0	0
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	0	0
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	37	23	37.8%
Two or More Races	0	0

Schools Near Big Stone 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
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	23	2	11.2		23 (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
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	116	10	12.0		103 (88.8%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (4.3%)	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
Hill Top Colony School	Public	PK, KG-8	909 Spring Creek Road	Sand Coulee	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)
Grass Land Colony School	Public	PK, KG-8	714 Eden Rd	Great Falls	59405	Cascade County	Centerville Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 736-5322	21	2	10.2		21 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8.1	308^th of 332 public elementary schools	7.2%		16	294^th of 329 public elementary schools	10.6%	14	0.0	25.0		$10,415
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	433	31	13.9		282 (65.1%)	6 (1.4%)	37 (8.5%)	3 (0.7%)	41 (9.5%)	0 (0.0%)	64 (14.8%)	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
Sunnyside School	Public	PK, KG-6	1800 19th Street South	Great Falls	59405	Cascade County	Great Falls Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 268-7115	423	26	16.5		261 (61.7%)	9 (2.1%)	46 (10.9%)	2 (0.5%)	44 (10.4%)	0 (0.0%)	61 (14.4%)	36.7	236^th of 332 public elementary schools	28.9%		55.8	168^th of 329 public elementary schools	48.9%	68	31.5	34.6	31.0	$11,129
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	268	23	11.9		174 (64.9%)	4 (1.5%)	31 (11.6%)	2 (0.7%)	13 (4.9%)	1 (0.4%)	43 (16.0%)	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
Lincoln School	Public	PK, KG-6	624 27th Street South	Great Falls	59405	Cascade County	Great Falls Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 268-6800	360	22	16.2		266 (73.9%)	4 (1.1%)	26 (7.2%)	3 (0.8%)	19 (5.3%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (11.7%)	62.1	130^th of 332 public elementary schools	60.8%		71.6	108^th of 329 public elementary schools	67.2%	22	39.8	47.6	43.6	$11,757
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	349	21	16.6		259 (74.2%)	1 (0.3%)	36 (10.3%)	1 (0.3%)	13 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (11.2%)	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
MT School For Deaf & Blnd Elementary	Public	PK, KG-8	3911 Central Ave	Great Falls	59405	Cascade County	Mont School for Deaf Blind	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 771-6017	25	10	2.5		21 (84.0%)	1 (4.0%)	1 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (4.0%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Big Stone School

Is Big Stone School a good school?

Big Stone School ranks 184^th of 332 Montana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Big Stone School?

Students at Big Stone School are 100% White.

How many students attend Big Stone School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 23 students attended Big Stone School.

What schools do graduates of Big Stone School attend?

Students who attend Big Stone School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Centerville 6-8
High : Centerville High School

What district is Big Stone School in?

Centerville Elementary

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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.