The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in English language arts. The lowest is 46% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Three Forks Elem School
Three Forks Elem School serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade and is the sole elementary school in the Three Forks Elementary School District. The school is located in the small town of Three Forks, Montana, a community founded as a railroad division point that has grown modestly since World War II. Its Main Street retains historic brick buildings and a local history museum, while the Sacajawea Hotel anchors the tourism economy. The town sits just off I-90, about a half-hour drive west of Bozeman, placing it within commuting distance of a larger job and amenity base. Wheat Montana, a grain and bakery operation, is the largest known local employer. The broader Gallatin County region has seen growth, and Three Forks shares in that pressure, though its own expansion has been gradual.
The school enrolled a student body that is predominantly white, with a modest share of Hispanic students and very small numbers of American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, and multiracial students. More than a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure that signals a substantial segment of families with lower household incomes. The district recently made a major capital investment in school construction, a notable outlay for a small rural system that points to upgraded facilities for students and staff.
On state assessments, Three Forks Elem School posted mixed results relative to other districts in Gallatin County. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested subjects and grades, landed below the midpoint of the county's districts. In mathematics, a little under half of students scored proficient or above. In English language arts, a little over half met that bar. In science, roughly half of students tested proficient or above. For a family evaluating academic performance, these numbers indicate that while a majority of students are reaching proficiency in reading and about half are doing so in math and science, the school trails the typical performance level of other elementary schools in the county. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how instruction and intervention are structured, particularly in math.
The school serves only early and elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, discipline, and course access were not available for this narrative, so the picture of day-to-day school climate and student support is incomplete. The civil rights data section was also empty, meaning details on special education identification rates and English learner services are missing.
The community itself is compact and car-dependent beyond its small downtown core. There is no public transit. Students and families likely access the school by car or school bus. The historic town center provides some walkable errands, but most daily needs and connections to Bozeman require a vehicle. For families who value a small-town setting with a traditional Main Street feel and proximity to outdoor recreation, Three Forks offers that context. For those weighing academic performance, the school sits below the county median on the proficiency index, and the available data does not fully illuminate why or what supports are in place.
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