North Star School vs. Cottonwood School
Should you attend North Star School or Cottonwood School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School
Top Rankings
North Star School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Montana for:
Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Cottonwood School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Montana for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Overview
Serving 114 students in grades Prekindergarten-6, North Star School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Montana for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-49% (which is higher than the Montana state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 50-59% (which is higher than the Montana state average of 46%).
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the Montana state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Montana state average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Serving 25 students in grades Prekindergarten-8, Cottonwood School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Montana for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≥50% (which is higher than the Montana state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≥50% (which is higher than the Montana state average of 46%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is higher than the Montana state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is lower than the Montana state average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Grades Offered
PK-6
PK-8
Total Students
114 students
25 students
![This chart displays total students of North Star School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays total students of North Star School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_students/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-dLTijm.png)
![This chart displays total students of Cottonwood School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays total students of Cottonwood School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_students/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-Lj7JDk.png)
% Male | % Female
48% | 52%
40% | 60%
![This chart displays gender of North Star School This chart displays gender of North Star School](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/gender/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-qZioQo.png)
![This chart displays gender of Cottonwood School This chart displays gender of Cottonwood School](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/gender/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-dMcdaC.png)
Total Classroom Teachers
10 teachers
2 teachers
![This chart displays the total teachers of North Star School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the total teachers of North Star School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_teachers/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-HxS12g.png)
![This chart displays the total teachers of Cottonwood School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the total teachers of Cottonwood School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_teachers/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-byLEezo.png)
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
13:1
![This chart displays the student teacher ratio of North Star School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the student teacher ratio of North Star School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/teacher_student_ratio/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-nmSGvy.png)
![This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Cottonwood School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Cottonwood School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/teacher_student_ratio/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-4lLUB2.png)
Test Scores
Overall Testing Rank
#261 out of 722 schools in MT
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
#88 out of 722 schools in MT
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
![This chart displays the overall school rank of North Star School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the overall school rank of North Star School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/overall_school_rank/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-SygCu6.png)
![This chart displays the overall school rank of Cottonwood School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the overall school rank of Cottonwood School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/overall_school_rank/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-KTbnvS.png)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-49%
≥50%
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of North Star School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Montana by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of North Star School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Montana by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/math_percent/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-paqO55.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Cottonwood School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Montana by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Cottonwood School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Montana by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/math_percent/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-4a8jOc.png)
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-59%
≥50%
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Star School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Montana by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Star School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Montana by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/rla_percent/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-HiGIQN.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Cottonwood School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Montana by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Cottonwood School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Montana by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/rla_percent/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-HiF51O.png)
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥50%
n/a
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
![This chart displays the students of North Star School by grade. This chart displays the students of North Star School by grade.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/students_by_grade/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-2txKL9.png)
![This chart displays the students of Cottonwood School by grade. This chart displays the students of Cottonwood School by grade.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/students_by_grade/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-b2Bsq9T.png)
Kindergarten Students
29
3
Grade 1 Students
10
1
Grade 2 Students
18
3
Grade 3 Students
11
3
Grade 4 Students
17
4
Grade 5 Students
15
3
Grade 6 Students
14
5
Grade 7 Students
-
1
Grade 8 Students
-
2
Students by Ethnicity
% American Indian
n/a
12%
![This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in North Star School and percentage of American Indian public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in North Star School and percentage of American Indian public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/american_indian_ethnicity/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-QOIM7q.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Cottonwood School and percentage of American Indian public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Cottonwood School and percentage of American Indian public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/american_indian_ethnicity/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-b40IEwt.png)
% Asian
n/a
n/a
![This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in North Star School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in North Star School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/asian_islander_ethnicity/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-9Qka8b.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Cottonwood School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2008-09 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Cottonwood School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2008-09 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/asian_islander_ethnicity/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-bl9u4S1.png)
% Hispanic
7%
n/a
![This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in North Star School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in North Star School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/hispanic_students_ethnicity/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-pfHHVV.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Cottonwood School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2006-07 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Cottonwood School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2006-07 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/hispanic_students_ethnicity/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-bro0TWa.png)
% Black
1%
n/a
![This chart displays the percentage of Black students in North Star School and the percentage of Black public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Black students in North Star School and the percentage of Black public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/black_students_ethnicity/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-bvaBiAP.png)
n/a
% White
89%
88%
![This chart displays the percentage of White students in North Star School and the percentage of White public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of White students in North Star School and the percentage of White public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/white_students_ethnicity/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-bpwc02o.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of White students in Cottonwood School and the percentage of White public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of White students in Cottonwood School and the percentage of White public school students in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/white_students_ethnicity/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-2sCiNl.png)
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
n/a
![This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in North Star School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in North Star School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/two_or_more_races_students_ethnicity/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-UBvyeL.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Cottonwood School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Montana by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Cottonwood School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Montana by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/two_or_more_races_students_ethnicity/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-b0GduZ2.png)
Diversity Score
0.20
0.21
![This chart displays the diversity score of North Star School and the public school average diversity score of Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the diversity score of North Star School and the public school average diversity score of Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/diversity_score/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-HyKS1v.png)
![This chart displays the diversity score of Cottonwood School and the public school average diversity score of Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the diversity score of Cottonwood School and the public school average diversity score of Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/diversity_score/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-UBGsUB.png)
Additional Information
Eligible for Free Lunch
28%
8%
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in North Star School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in North Star School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/freelunch_students/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-0zYl82.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Cottonwood School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Cottonwood School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/freelunch_students/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-bcjXq3U.png)
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
4%
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North Star School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North Star School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/reduced_pricelunch_students/127000/126823/north-star-school-chart-sScoze.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Cottonwood School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Cottonwood School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Montana by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/reduced_pricelunch_students/48000/48436/cottonwood-school-chart-nnbRg0.png)