The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in Science. The lowest is 38% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Cecelia Hazelton School
Cecelia Hazelton School serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Townsend, Montana, a small agricultural and recreational town that serves as the county seat of Broadwater County. The town sits between the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains near the southern tip of Canyon Ferry Lake, Montana’s third-largest body of water, and is roughly thirty-five miles southeast of Helena. The surrounding region is agricultural and ranching land with a history tied to gold mining and homesteading. Townsend appears to be experiencing notable growth, with recent population estimates showing an uptick after a period of relative stability, likely connected to its proximity to the state capital as an exurban option.
The school serves as the elementary campus within the Townsend K-12 Schools district, which is the only public school system in Broadwater County that includes a high school. The district completed a major capital construction project in a recent fiscal year, making a substantial investment in facilities for its rural student population.
State testing data is available for math, English language arts, and science. On the Smarter Balanced Assessment, achievement was moderate. In math, roughly two out of every five students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, the share was slightly higher, with something under half of students reaching proficiency. On the Montana Science Assessment, again nearly half of tested students met the proficient threshold. These results are the single year snapshot that is publicly reported. Because the district is one of only two in Broadwater County, and the comparison set is too small for meaningful ranking, these figures are best weighed against the reader's own benchmark for what a solid academic floor looks like. There is no multi-year trend data available to show whether achievement is rising or falling.
The student body is overwhelmingly white, with a modest share of Hispanic students and a small number of students identifying with two or more races. Just under half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a common measure of economic need in public schools. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available source, so a parent with a child in either of those groups may want to inquire directly with the school about the services and supports offered.
Housing values in the area are comparable to the state-wide benchmark for Montana. The estimated monthly mortgage payment for a median-priced home, at current interest rates, is a significant share of the national median household income.
Because Cecelia Hazelton School stops at sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. The school's role is to provide the foundational elementary and middle school experience before students move on to Broadwater High School within the same district. The school's curriculum and program offerings are not detailed in the available data, so a parent would need to contact the school to learn about specific enrichment, arts, music, or gifted programming available at this grade band.
Cecelia Hazelton School is an elementary and middle school serving a growing rural town. The school's academic results on state tests are moderate, and the student population reflects the broader community's demographics. For families moving to Townsend or already living there, this school represents the early grades gateway for the district, with a major recent facilities investment signaling attention to the physical learning environment.
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