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Very Good

#142 of 603 schools in MT

Top 23% in state

Belt 7-8

Middle School · Belt Elem

PO Box 197, Belt, MT 59412

Enrollment

49

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

7.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Belt

#2 of 3

public schools

Montana middle schools

#27 of 143

In district

#1 of 2

Belt Elem

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Belt 7-8

Belt 7-8 serves 49 middle school students in grades 7-8 in the small rural community of Belt, Montana. This compact school maintains a favorable 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio with 3 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention in a close-knit learning environment. Academically, Belt 7-8 demonstrates exceptional performance, ranking 46th out of 605 Montana schools and placing in the 93rd percentile statewide.

The school earns an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10, with particularly strong academic scores. Both English Language Arts and Mathematics show excellent results, with 74% of students achieving proficient or above levels in each subject area. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $75,250 and home values average $226,900.

With 31% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 8.2%, the surrounding community provides a supportive foundation for student learning. Belt 7-8's rural setting in Cascade County offers students a unique educational experience where small class sizes and strong community connections create an environment focused on individual student growth and academic achievement.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 49 students, Belt 7-8 is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Belt 7-8 may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.9Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5%
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+32.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,473

Belt 7-8 — Students at Belt 7-8 score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

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 71.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
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: 8.1/10.

How Belt 7-8 Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
77th percentile in MT
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

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. East Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Great Falls), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Centerville 6-8 (rated 4.9/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Sand Coulee), a more accessible option. For more schools in Belt, see our Belt schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Belt School Belt 0.0 mi 4.9
Pleasant Valley School Belt 0.0 mi
Belt High School Belt 0.0 mi 7.4
Hill Top Colony School Sand Coulee 7.9 mi
Centerville School Sand Coulee 10.0 mi 3.8
Centerville 6-8 Sand Coulee 10.0 mi 4.9
Centerville High School Sand Coulee 10.0 mi 8.0
Highwood School Highwood 14.8 mi 7.0
Highwood High School Highwood 14.8 mi 8.9
Highwood Middle School Highwood 14.8 mi
Big Stone School Sand Coulee 13.0 mi
Loy School Great Falls 15.8 mi 7.1
Chief Joseph School Great Falls 15.7 mi 5.3
TREASURE STATE ACADEMY Great Falls 16.2 mi 5.5
East Middle School Great Falls 16.4 mi 6.9
Morningside School Great Falls 16.7 mi 6.9
Mountain View School Great Falls 16.3 mi 5.0
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd HS Great Falls 16.6 mi
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd El Great Falls 16.6 mi
Lewis & Clark School Great Falls 16.6 mi 5.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Belt 7-8 has a median household income of $83,409. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,100, with a median rent of $825/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 Hays, MT 7.3
Plains 7-8 Plains, MT 7.3
Culbertson Junior High Culbertson, MT 7.2
Troy 7-8 Troy, MT 7.4
Absarokee 6-8 Absarokee, MT 7.1
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell, MT 7.5

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 is ranked #142 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Belt 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Belt 7-8 has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Belt 7-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belt 7-8 has 71.2% math proficiency and 77.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (333/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cascade County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Belt Elem
District Enrollment
269
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,635
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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