The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in English language arts. The lowest is 73% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Amsterdam School
Amsterdam School serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the small agricultural town of Manhattan, Montana, which sits within the rapidly growing Gallatin County and the Bozeman micropolitan area. The school is the sole campus of the Amsterdam Elem district, and its enrollment is modest, with a student body that is overwhelmingly white and includes a very small share of students from low-income households, as measured by free or reduced-price meal eligibility.
Academically, the school performs at a level that stands well above typical benchmarks for the state and its county peers. State assessment results in math, English language arts, and science all show that a substantial majority of students meet or exceed proficiency standards. The school’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects places it near the top among districts in Gallatin County, a position that reflects strong and consistent results. The U.S. Department of Education recognized Amsterdam Elementary as a National Blue Ribbon School, a designation that publicly signals high academic performance.
The absence of a graduation rate is expected given that the school only serves elementary and middle grades. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, course access, and staffing were not available, so a parent would need to contact the school directly for details on those areas.
The student body is academically focused, as suggested by the proficiency numbers, and the peer environment is one where most students come from similar demographic backgrounds. Housing in the area is expensive relative to national norms, and the local market shows high median listing prices, limited inventory, and strong demand, which reflects the broader growth pressure across Gallatin County. Manhattan itself retains a small-town agricultural character with Dutch farming heritage, a Main Street corridor, and a tight-knit community feel. Some families commute to Bozeman for work, and Interstate 90 provides regional access.
The Amsterdam Elem district has experienced a sustained decline in both revenue and spending per student over recent years, with per-pupil funding sitting below the state median. This fiscal trend may affect the district’s ability to maintain programs and staffing over time, and a family moving into the area may want to ask the school or district about current class sizes, specialist offerings, and any program changes tied to the budget.
For a parent considering this school, the picture is one of a small, high-performing elementary school set in a growing but still rural community, with strong test scores and national recognition, paired with rising housing costs and a district budget that has been tightening. It fits a family seeking a proven academic environment in a small-town setting where property values are high and the commute to a larger city is possible.
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