The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in Science. The lowest is 0% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln School
Lincoln School is an elementary building within the Glendive Elem district, serving only third through fifth grades. That narrow grade band means it is neither a starting school for kindergarteners nor a school that sees students through to graduation. Families living in the district will typically send children here for three years before they move to a middle or junior high school. Because the school does not cover high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the academic picture comes entirely from state assessments given in grades three through five.
The student body is small by design, with enrollment concentrated across three grade levels. A clear majority of students are white, and just over half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker that a substantial share of households have moderate or lower incomes. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent who wants to understand those supports should ask the school directly.
State test results for the most recent year are unusual. In both math and English language arts, no students were recorded as tested, and proficiency rates were reported as zero. The data does not explain why testing did not occur. It could reflect a disruption at the school, a data reporting issue, or another circumstance. In science, testing was conducted, and about half of the tested students scored proficient or above. A parent may want to follow up with the school to understand why math and reading tests were absent and whether the school normally administers those assessments.
The school operates within the Glendive Elem district, which serves the town of Glendive. The district brief found no recent parent-relevant changes such as new levies, bond measures, curriculum shifts, or staffing overhauls, so the operational environment appears stable but without visible new investments.
Glendive itself is a small agricultural and ranching hub in eastern Montana, with a slowly declining population. Home values in the area are below both state and national averages, and the local economy is anchored by the railroad, county government, Dawson Community College, and healthcare. The town is spread out with a small downtown core, and walkability is limited beyond the immediate center. The population has not grown in recent years, and a fire in 2023 destroyed two historic downtown buildings, reflecting the challenges of a rural community with a flat economic trajectory.
For a parent considering this school, Lincoln fits as a short-term elementary placement within a stable, small-town district. The academic record is incomplete, with no usable math or reading test data and middling science results, so the school’s academic strength is hard to assess from publicly available numbers. The peer environment is small and predominantly white, typical of the region. The housing market is affordable relative to much of the state, and the community offers a quiet, rural lifestyle with access to Makoshika State Park and local civic amenities. Families who prioritize a traditional small-town school setting and are comfortable asking questions about testing practices may find Lincoln a reasonable fit. Those seeking strong test-score evidence or a growing community would need to look beyond what the data shows.
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