Cardwell Elementary School District

80 Highway 359
Cardwell, MT 59721
(District boundaries shown in map)
6/
10
Top 50%

Top Rankings

Cardwell Elementary School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Montana for:

Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there is 1 public school serving 37 students in Cardwell Elementary School District. This district's average testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public schools in Montana.
Public School in Cardwell Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public school average of 23% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
1 School
843 Schools
# Students
37 Students
149,705 Students
# Teachers
5 Teachers
10,942 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Cardwell Elementary School District, which is ranked within the top 5% of all 334 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
This School District
State Average (MT)
#151 out of 350 school districts
(Top 50%)
(21-22)
40-59%
35%
60-79%
46%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.29
0.40
% American Indian
6%
10%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
5%
6%
% Black
n/a
1%
% White
84%
77%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

This School District
This State (MT)
Total Revenue
$594,000
$2,285 MM
Spending
$523,000
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student (91-92)
$4,396
$7,082
Spending / Student (91-92)
$3,377
$6,494

Best Cardwell Elementary School District Public Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cardwell School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
80 Highway 359
Cardwell, MT 59721
(406) 287-3321
Gr: PK-8 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 16%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Cardwell Elementary School District?
Cardwell Elementary School District manages 1 public schools serving 37 students.
What is the rank of Cardwell Elementary School District?
Cardwell Elementary School District is ranked #12 out of 334 school districts in Montana (top 5%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Montana school districts for: Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Cardwell Elementary School District?
84% of Cardwell Elementary School District students are White, 6% of students are American Indian, 5% of students are Hispanic, and 5% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Cardwell Elementary School District?
Cardwell Elementary School District has a student/teacher ratio of 7:1, which is lower than the Montana state average of 14:1.

Recent Articles

School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.

Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • District size: 1 school
  • Grades: PK-08
  • Enrollment: 37 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 16%
  • : Top 50% in MT
  • : 40-59% (Btm 50%)
  • : 60-79% (Top 5%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education

Quick Links