Top Rankings
Shepherd Elementary School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Montana for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 571 students in Shepherd Elementary School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Montana.
Public Elementary Schools in Shepherd Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Montana public elementary school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Montana public elementary school average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
2 Schools
519 Schools
# Students
571 Students
96,346 Students
# Teachers
37 Teachers
6,988 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Shepherd Elementary School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 334 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
Overall District Rank
#154 out of 350 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
37%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
46%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
37%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.17
0.40
% American Indian
5%
11%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
2%
6%
% Black
2%
1%
% White
91%
76%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,245 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,263. The school district revenue/student has declined by 8% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $23,158 is higher than the state median of $15,352. The school district spending/student has declined by 8% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$8 MM
$2,285 MM
Spending
$13 MM
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,245
$15,263
Spending / Student
$23,158
$15,352
Best Shepherd Elementary School District Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Shepherd Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7842 Shepherd Road
Shepherd, MT 59079
(406) 373-5516
Shepherd, MT 59079
(406) 373-5516
Gr: PK-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Shepherd Middle School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
7842 Shepherd Road
Shepherd, MT 59079
(406) 373-5873
Shepherd, MT 59079
(406) 373-5873
Gr: 6-8 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Recent Articles

10 Advantages of Public Education in 2025
Explore 10 key benefits of public education in 2025, with fresh statistics, expert insights, and real-world examples for parents and educators.

COVID-19’s Lasting Impact on U.S. Public Schools (2025)
Explore how COVID-19 continues to affect U.S. public schools in 2025: learning losses, enrollment shifts, mental health, and recovery strategies.