Excellent

#22 of 603 schools in MT

Top 4% in state

Belt 7-8

Middle School · Belt Elem

PO Box 197, Belt, MT 59412

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

8.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

8.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#22 of 603

In Belt

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Belt Elem

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Middle School in Belt · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Belt 7-8

Belt 7-8 is a public middle school in Belt, MT, part of Belt Elem. Belt 7-8 serves approximately 49 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Belt 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #22 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Belt 7-8 show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.9 pts above MT schools

8.9

This school 8.9 · Excellent
MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 49 students, Belt 7-8 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Belt 7-8 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress9.8Excellent40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-0.9 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendStable

Academics9.8Excellent35%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency74.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+31.6 pts

Adjusted Percentile97th

Resources & Environment6.1Average25%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1

Per-Pupil Spending$10,635

Chronic Absenteeism10.2%

Belt 7-8 — Students at Belt 7-8 score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 80.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009

Math

84.5%

ELA

84.5%

2010

Math

74.5%

ELA

95%

2011

Math

74.5%

ELA

95%

2012

Math

64.5%

ELA

84.5%

2014

Math

64.5%

ELA

74.5%

2015

Math

54.5%

ELA

74.5%

2016

Math

54.5%

ELA

74.5%

2017

Math

54.5%

ELA

74.5%

2018

Math

74.5%

ELA

74.5%

2019

Math

74.5%

ELA

74.5%

2020*

Math

64.5%

ELA

84.5%

2021*

Math

64.5%

ELA

84.5%

2022

Math

74.5%

ELA

74.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.

How Belt 7-8 Compares

See how Belt 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

8.9/10

97th percentile in MT

Academic

9.8/10

Excellent

Growth

9.8/10

Excellent

Environment

6.1/10

Average

Gifted & Talented

Yes

Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

37%

Teaching Staff

16:1 student-teacher ratio

3 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

10.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available

This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO Box 197, Belt, MT 59412

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Belt 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Centerville 6-8 (rated 7.2/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Sand Coulee), a more accessible option. Additionally, East Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Great Falls), a more accessible option. For more schools in Belt, see our Belt schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.6 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Belt School Belt	0.0 mi	195	8.8
Pleasant Valley School Belt	0.0 mi	25	—
Belt High School Belt	0.0 mi	98	7.4
Hill Top Colony School Sand Coulee	7.9 mi	22	—
Centerville School Sand Coulee	10.0 mi	124	5.1
Centerville 6-8 Sand Coulee	10.0 mi	66	7.2
Centerville High School Sand Coulee	10.0 mi	76	8.2
Highwood School Highwood	14.8 mi	60	9.2
Highwood High School Highwood	14.8 mi	32	7.2
Highwood Middle School Highwood	14.8 mi	16	—
Big Stone School Sand Coulee	13.0 mi	20	—
Loy School Great Falls	15.8 mi	405	8.0
Chief Joseph School Great Falls	15.7 mi	262	8.0
TREASURE STATE ACADEMY Great Falls	16.2 mi	47	5.5
East Middle School Great Falls	16.4 mi	773	6.2
Morningside School Great Falls	16.7 mi	204	4.9
Mountain View School Great Falls	16.3 mi	330	3.9
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd HS Great Falls	16.6 mi	13	—
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd El Great Falls	16.6 mi	19	—
Lewis & Clark School Great Falls	16.6 mi	326	4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59412 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,409

Median Home Value

$236,100

Median Rent

$825/mo

Population

1,450

College Educated

31.6%

Homeownership

79.1%

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

42.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
Fort Benton 7-8 Fort Benton, MT	55	8.9
Chester-Joplin-Inverness 7-8 Chester, MT	37	8.8
Redwater School Circle, MT	34	8.8
Bridger 7-8 Bridger, MT	30	8.4
Plains 7-8 Plains, MT	59	8.4
Shields Valley 7-8 Clyde Park, MT	30	8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Belt 7-8

What grades does Belt 7-8 serve?

Belt 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Belt 7-8?

Belt 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 49 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Belt 7-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Belt 7-8 is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Belt 7-8 rank in MT?

Belt 7-8 ranks #22 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Belt 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Belt 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Belt 7-8?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Belt 7-8 has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Belt 7-8 a charter school?

No, Belt 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Belt 7-8 a Title I school?

No, Belt 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belt 7-8?

36.7% of students at Belt 7-8 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.