The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Story Creek Elem
Story Creek Elementary serves the Belgrade area as part of the Belgrade Elem district, offering pre‑kindergarten through fourth grade. Enrollment runs into the low hundreds, and the student body is predominantly white, with a smaller share of Hispanic students and very small numbers from other racial and ethnic groups. About three out of every ten students qualify for free or reduced‑price meals, placing the school in a moderate range of economic diversity for the area.
The most striking feature of the academic picture is the absence of usable state assessment data. For the 2023‑24 school year, the records show zero students tested in math, English language arts, and science, with proficiency rates reported at zero percent. That is unusual because the school includes third and fourth graders, grades that Montana tests. The data does not explain why no tests were taken; it could reflect a small group size, a testing disruption, or a data reporting quirk. A parent considering this school should ask the school or the district directly how student progress is measured and whether state testing results will be available in future years. The comparison that is available, which places Story Creek among Gallatin County districts, shows an overall proficiency index in the bottom quarter of that group. But given that the underlying test values are all zero, that comparison may not be informative until actual results are reported.
The school sits in Belgrade, a fast‑growing town about a short drive from Bozeman. Belgrade was founded as a railroad town and still has a Main Street core, but it has expanded rapidly with residential subdivisions, commercial strips, and corporate offices for companies like CACI International and Xtant Medical. Many residents commute to Bozeman for work, and the housing market reflects strong demand. Home values are high and have risen further in recent years, while rents have also increased. The broader county shows a limited supply of homes for sale and a market that tilts toward sellers. The city has a public library, a community event center used for school and civic events, and a fall festival; the built environment is largely auto‑oriented outside the downtown area.
No recent district‑level changes of lasting impact were reported. Story Creek is one of several elementary schools in the Belgrade district, which feeds into Belgrade middle and high schools.
For families living in or moving to Belgrade, Story Creek offers a standard elementary experience with a moderate‑sized student body and a demographic mix that reflects the broader community. The open question around state testing results is the main item to investigate; otherwise, the school functions as a neighborhood elementary in a growing suburban town where housing costs are a major consideration.
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