Laurel Elem

Laurel, Montana — 4 schools

1,272
Total Enrollment
4
Schools
$13,113
Per-Pupil Spending
Elementary, Other
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

Laurel Elem operates 4 public schools serving 1,272 students, placing it among the smaller districts in Montana. The school portfolio breaks down into 3 elementary, 1 other schools, giving families a clear picture of grade-band coverage before they move, rent, or enrol. Aggregated across those campuses, enrollment totals 1,157 pupils using the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 release, and the district is geographically located in Yellowstone County County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $13,113 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, which aggregates every revenue and spending line reported under federal accounting standards. The funding mix is 43.6% local, 40.1% state, and 16.3% federal — a breakdown that matters because districts leaning heavily on local revenue are more exposed to property-tax swings, while higher federal shares typically track Title I concentration. Average teacher compensation clocks in at $72,929 per NCES F-33, a signal of the district's ability to recruit and retain staff against neighbouring districts. The district's equity score — 22/100, ranked #119 of 141 in Montana against a state average of 38 — measures how evenly funding reaches schools within its boundaries.

a 305.2:1 student-counselor ratio, above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 23.9% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 86.5% White, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 0.3% Asian across the district's schools.

Laurel Middle School accounts for 43.7% of all Laurel Elem student enrollment

That concentration — well above the 8.4% national median for largest-entity share — means Laurel Elem-wide averages can mask substantial variation outside the dominant entity. Grade band: elementary. A single dominant campus often anchors a district's program offerings and staffing patterns; the share helps explain why district-wide averages may not reflect the typical neighbourhood-school experience. When one entity dominates a region's footprint, its programmatic and budget decisions effectively set policy for a majority of the affected population.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Laurel Elem school enrollment varies 3.2× across entities

Laurel Elem school enrollment ranges from 158 students (lowest) to 506 students (highest), a spread of 348 students. That relatively narrow ratio reflects an unusually homogeneous campus portfolio — most districts have a wider mix of school sizes. Per-school staffing ratios, programme availability, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same district based on enrollment shape.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Laurel Elem student-counselor ratio is 305:1 — near the typical range (US average ~408) — within the typical range for U.S. public districts

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment — districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Variation between sub-units within Laurel Elem is typically wider than the Laurel Elem-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

Laurel Elem chronic absenteeism rate is 23.9% — near the typical range (US average ~28) — aligned with the national post-pandemic baseline of roughly 28% chronic absenteeism

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason — illness, family obligations, or disengagement Variation between sub-units within Laurel Elem is typically wider than the Laurel Elem-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22 NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

16.3%
Federal
40.1%
State
43.6%
Local

Funding Equity

22
Equity Score
119 / 141
State Rank
38
State Average

This district scores below average on funding equity. High reliance on local revenue or lower spending may contribute.

Local Rent Costs

Fair Market Rents in Yellowstone County county, where this district is located.

$1,016
Studio/mo
$1,109
1 BR/mo
$1,417
2 BR/mo
$1,951
3 BR/mo
$2,216
4 BR/mo

Average Teacher Salary

$72,929
Average annual teacher salary

Source: NCES CCD F-33 (Finance Survey).

Teacher salary data from NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 4 schools in Laurel Elem.

White 86.5%
Hispanic or Latino 6.5%
Multiracial 4.9%
Other 1.6%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Programs & Resources

305.2:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
23.9%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in Laurel Elem

School Enrollment
Laurel Middle School
506
West School
248
Fred W Graff School
245
South School
158

Nearby Districts in Montana

Top districts in the same state — compare side-by-side for enrollment, spending, and demographics.

Billings Elem
10,988 students · 28 schools · $13,071/pupil
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Great Falls Elem
7,032 students · 17 schools · $13,469/pupil
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Billings H S
5,610 students · 3 schools · $12,352/pupil
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Missoula Elem
5,280 students · 12 schools · $13,532/pupil
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Helena Elem
5,225 students · 13 schools · $14,602/pupil
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Compare Laurel Elem

See how this district compares to others in enrollment, spending, demographics, and academic resources.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Laurel Elem?

Laurel Elem has 4 schools, including 3 elementary, 1 other. Total enrollment is 1,272 students.

How much does Laurel Elem spend per student?

Laurel Elem spends $13,113 per student. The district has an equity score of 22/100, ranking #119 in Montana.

What is the average teacher salary in Laurel Elem?

The average teacher salary in Laurel Elem is $72,929 per year, according to the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

What is the average rent near Laurel Elem?

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Yellowstone County County is $N/A/month (2026). This affects housing affordability for families in the district.

What is the demographic composition of Laurel Elem?

Laurel Elem students are 86.5% White, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% African American, averaged across 4 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for Laurel Elem?

Laurel Elem has an equity score of 22/100, ranking #119 out of 141 districts in Montana. This score measures resource distribution fairness across schools in the district.

Federal data Last updated 2026 Free public data

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