The reported proficiency rate for Math is 46%.
Original Research by School Decision on Custer School
Custer School is a small rural elementary school in southeastern Montana, serving pre-kindergarten through sixth grade as part of the Custer K-12 Schools district. With an enrollment that is very small for a school covering seven grade levels, the student body is almost entirely white. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a moderate-income context rather than an affluent one.
The school’s academic picture comes from state testing in math, English language arts, and science for grades three through six. For math, roughly half of students scored at proficient or above, a result that places the school's overall proficiency index in the top quartile relative to other districts in Yellowstone County. That is a straightforward strength: on the composite measure across tested subjects, Custer School performs solidly compared with its county peers. The English language arts and science results were suppressed in the reported data, a common occurrence in very small schools where the tested population is too small to release publicly without risking student identification. A parent may want to ask the school directly for more detail on those subjects, though the math results offer a reasonable baseline.
Because the school does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate, and the district’s high school is a separate entity not covered here. Civil rights data, discipline records, and information on special education and English learner populations were not available in the data provided. A parent looking into support services should follow up with the school office.
The community context is essential to understanding this school. Custer is a very small, unincorporated rural community along the Yellowstone River, roughly an hour east of Billings on an interstate. The town’s population has been declining gradually over the past decade. The built environment is sparse and car-dependent, and the school itself sits within the town rather than on a separate campus. The Yellowstone River is a notable natural feature, offering fishing and recreation. The school is described locally as a central civic institution, supported by a community foundation, a PTO, and a booster club. No major private employers were identified; the school district is likely one of the primary local employers given the town’s size.
Housing in the area is modestly priced relative to national benchmarks, though the local market has seen a slight dip in home values recently. For a family moving into the area, the typical home is well below the national median household income-to-price ratio, making it more affordable than many parts of the country. The local unemployment rate is roughly in line with the national average.
No recent district-level changes, such as referendums, curriculum overhauls, or property-tax shifts, showed up in the available research. The district appears to be operating without major disruption, which may appeal to families seeking stability.
Custer School fits families who want a very small, rural elementary setting with a close-knit feel, where the school is the heart of the community. The academic picture is one of solid math performance relative to the county, though the suppression of other test data means less transparency than larger schools offer. A parent comfortable with a quiet, shrinking town and willing to drive to Billings for broader services and amenities would likely find this school a good match. A family looking for wide program offerings, strong extracurriculars, or a diverse peer environment would need to look elsewhere.
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