The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in English language arts. The lowest is 24% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lambert School
Lambert School serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, making it an elementary school in the rural community of Lambert, Montana. The school is part of the Lambert Elem district, a small, remote system that includes the town's only school building at 3rd Avenue Northwest. Because the school does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the narrative centers on the elementary experience.
The student body is small and predominantly white. The school’s enrollment reflects the broader demographic of this eastern Montana town. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of economic need that aligns with the local economy, where agriculture and oil work are the primary sources of income. The town itself is tiny, with a handful of civic anchors like a community park and a museum, and most commerce and services are a short drive to Sidney.
Academic performance on state assessments shows results that families will want to weigh carefully. In both math and English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient or above was below the midpoint when compared to other districts in Richland County. Across tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency was in the bottom quartile among the county’s districts. Science results were suppressed, likely due to a very small number of test-takers, which is a common occurrence in a school this size. These are straight facts from the state’s Smarter Balanced assessments; a parent may want to discuss specific classroom strategies and interventions with the school.
The school’s size is a defining characteristic. With only a few dozen students enrolled, classes are small, and the student-to-teacher ratio is likely low. This can mean more individual attention and flexibility for each child. For a family that values a tight-knit, familiar setting where every student is known, this structure can be a strong fit. For families seeking a wide array of specialized programs, course electives, or competitive extracurriculars, the scale of Lambert School will necessarily offer less breadth than a larger district.
The locale is remote, as classified by the National Center for Education Statistics. The community has seen population shifts tied to the oil basin economy, but the school itself has no recent publicly reported major changes. The district operates a combined elementary, junior, and senior high school under one roof, so the same small cohort of children typically move up through the grades together.
For parents considering Lambert School, the picture is straightforward. The peer environment is small and homogeneous. The academic attainment on state tests is below county averages, which is important context. The school is the academic and social heart of a very small agricultural and oil-field community. A family’s satisfaction will likely hinge on whether this setting matches their priorities.
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