Alder School

Alder Elem
36 Upper Ruby River Rd
Alder, MT 59710
17 Students
Elementary School Pre-K - 8th
School Overview
The Alder School, located in the rural community of Alder, Montana, serves as a vital educational anchor for the surrounding Madison County region. Operating as a small, community-focused institution, the school embodies the traditional values of Montana’s rural education system, emphasizing close-knit relationships between students, teachers, and local families. Because of its location in a remote, high-desert valley, the school often benefits from small class sizes, which allow for a highly personalized learning environment tailored to the unique needs of its student body.

Beyond academics, the Alder School functions as a focal point for the small, unincorporated town of Alder. Its curriculum is often characterized by a blend of foundational studies and regional relevance, reflecting the agricultural and historical nature of the Ruby River Valley. While it may lack the expansive facilities of larger suburban districts, the school provides an intimate, supportive atmosphere where students are encouraged to engage directly with their peers and the surrounding natural environment, fostering a strong sense of community and self-reliance.
17
Total Students
3.0
Full-Time Teachers
5.7
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics
  • White
    16 (94.1 %)
  • Two or More
    1 (5.9 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Elementary School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status: No
District: Alder Elem
Phone: (406)842-5285
Grade Range: Pre-K - 8th
Total Students: 17
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 3.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 5.7
NSLP Participation:1 Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch: 0
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

1 National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught
Kindergarten 8
Grade 1 2
Grade 2 2
Grade 3 3
Grade 5 2
Gender Ratio