Home > Montana > Jefferson County

Cardwell Elementary School District

Item: Cardwell Elementary School District
Rating: 6
Author: Public School Review

80 Highway 359
Cardwell, MT 59721

( shown in map)

Top 50%

Tel: (406) 287-3321

Top Rankings

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

Overview

This School District

This State (MT)

# Schools

1 School

837 Schools

# Students

35 Students

147,349 Students

# Teachers

5 Teachers

10,712 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
Pre-K	3	8
Kind	7	26
1	5	27
2	2	28
3	6	30
4	5	29
5	1	29
6	2	29
7	3	29
8	1	29

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

District Rank

Cardwell Elementary School District, which is ranked within the top 5% of all 332 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%)

View Data

Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District
2023	#151
2022	#26
2021	#82
2019	#155
2018	#111
2017	#164
2016	#133
2013	#152
2012	#94
2011	#230
2010	#169

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(21-22)

40-59%

35%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
2022	49%	35%
2021	50%	36%
2019	30%	42%
2018	49%	42%
2017	49%	41%
2016	49%	43%
2013	64%	66%
2012	84%	68%
2011	64%	68%
2010	64%	67%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

60-79%

46%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
2022	69%	46%
2021	50%	47%
2019	69%	50%
2018	49%	51%
2017	49%	51%
2016	49%	50%
2013	84%	84%
2012	84%	86%
2011	74%	84%
2010	84%	84%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(2022-23)

30.8%

35.9%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
2023	30.8%	35.9%
2022	35.3%	41.1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.35

0.40

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
2023	0.32	0.39
2022	0.22	0.38
2021	0.12	0.38
2020	0.15	0.38
2019	0.15	0.38
2018	0.15	0.38
2017	0.15	0.36
2016	0.22	0.36
2015	0.12	0.35
2014	0.22	0.35
2013	0.24	0.33
2012	0.15	0.33
2011	0.15	0.32
2010	0.19	0.30
2009	0.12	0.30
2008	0.12	0.28
2007	0.15	0.28
2006	0.17	0.28
2005	0.13	0.27
2004	0.18	0.27
2003	0.15	0.27
2002	0.15	0.27
2001	0.22	0.25
2000	0.08	0.25
1999	0.08	0.23
1998	0.10	0.24
1997	0.10	0.24
1996	0.10	0.22
1991	0.11	0.20

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% American Indian

10%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 28-year historical data available below ↓

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison (1996-2023)
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
2023	5%	10%
2022	3%	11%
2021	3%	11%
2020	3%	11%
2019	3%	11%
2018	4%	11%
2017	4%	11%
2016	4%	11%
2015	4%	11%
2014	4%	11%
2013	5%	11%
2012	2%	11%
2011	2%	11%
2010	8%	12%
2009	4%	12%
2008	4%	11%
2007	6%	11%
2006	7%	12%
2005	7%	11%
2004	10%	11%
2003	8%	11%
2002	8%	11%
2001	10%	11%
2000	4%	11%
1999	4%	10%
1998	5%	10%
1997	5%	10%
1996	5%	10%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Asian

n/a

% Hispanic

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
2023	5%	6%
2022	3%	5%
2020	3%	5%
2019	3%	5%
2018	2%	5%
2017	2%	5%
2016	6%	5%
2014	4%	4%
2013	4%	4%
2012	4%	4%
2011	4%	3%
1991	6%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Black

n/a

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison (2006-2023)
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
2023	3%	1%
2014	2%	1%
2013	2%	1%
2012	2%	1%
2011	2%	1%
2010	2%	1%
2009	2%	1%
2008	2%	1%
2007	2%	1%
2006	2%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% White

80%

76%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
2023	82%	77%
2022	88%	78%
2021	94%	78%
2020	92%	78%
2019	92%	78%
2018	92%	78%
2017	92%	79%
2016	88%	79%
2015	94%	80%
2014	88%	80%
2013	87%	81%
2012	92%	81%
2011	92%	82%
2010	90%	83%
2009	94%	83%
2008	94%	84%
2007	92%	84%
2006	91%	84%
2005	93%	85%
2004	90%	85%
2003	92%	85%
2002	92%	85%
2001	88%	86%
2000	96%	86%
1999	96%	87%
1998	95%	87%
1997	95%	87%
1996	95%	88%
1995	100%	88%
1994	100%	88%
1993	100%	88%
1992	100%	88%
1991	94%	89%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2013-2023)
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
2023	5%	5%
2022	6%	4%
2021	3%	4%
2020	2%	4%
2019	2%	4%
2018	2%	4%
2017	2%	3%
2016	2%	3%
2015	2%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	2%	2%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

This School District

This State (MT)

Total Revenue

$606,000

$2,442 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
2023	$1 MM	$2 MM
2022	$1 MM	$2 MM
2021	$1 MM	$2 MM
2020	$1 MM	$2 MM
2019	$1 MM	$2 MM
2018	$1 MM	$2 MM
2017	0	$2 MM
2016	$1 MM	$2 MM
2015	0	$2 MM
2014	$1 MM	$2 MM
2012	0	$2 MM
2011	0	$2 MM
2010	0	$2 MM
2009	0	$1 MM
2008	0	$2 MM
2007	0	$1 MM
2006	0	$1 MM
2005	0	$1 MM
2004	0	$1 MM
2003	0	$1 MM
2002	0	$1 MM
2001	0	$1 MM
2000	0	$1 MM
1999	0	$1 MM
1998	0	$1 MM
1997	0	$1 MM
1996	0	$1 MM
1995	0	$1 MM
1992	0	$1 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending

$728,000

$2,389 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Cardwell Elementary School District	Montana
2023	$1 MM	$2 MM
2022	$1 MM	$2 MM
2021	$1 MM	$2 MM
2020	0	$2 MM
2019	$1 MM	$2 MM
2018	$1 MM	$2 MM
2017	$1 MM	$2 MM
2016	0	$2 MM
2015	0	$2 MM
2014	$1 MM	$2 MM
2012	0	$2 MM
2011	0	$2 MM
2010	0	$2 MM
2009	0	$1 MM
2008	0	$1 MM
2007	0	$1 MM
2006	0	$1 MM
2005	0	$1 MM
2004	0	$1 MM
2003	0	$1 MM
2002	0	$1 MM
2001	0	$1 MM
2000	0	$1 MM
1999	0	$1 MM
1998	0	$1 MM
1997	0	$1 MM
1996	0	$1 MM
1995	0	$1 MM
1992	0	$1 MM
1990	0	$1 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Revenue / Student (91-92)

$4,396

$7,082

Spending / Student (91-92)

$3,377

$6,494

Best Cardwell Elementary School District Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Cardwell School

(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
:

10/

Top 10%

80 Highway 359
Cardwell, MT 59721
(406) 287-3321

Gr: PK-8 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 20%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Cardwell Elementary School District?

Cardwell Elementary School District manages 1 public schools serving 35 students.

What is the rank of Cardwell Elementary School District?

Cardwell Elementary School District is ranked #13 out of 332 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%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Cardwell Elementary School District?

80% of Cardwell Elementary School District students are White, 8% of students are Two or more races, 6% of students are American Indian, and 6% of students are Hispanic.

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

October 07, 2026

How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?

Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.

October 07, 2026

Does Your Child Need More Recess?

Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.

October 07, 2026

Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know

Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.

Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 1 school
Grades: PK-08
Enrollment: 35 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
Minority Enrollment: 20%
: Top 50% in MT
: 40-59% (Btm 50%)
: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education