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
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
7.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Belt 7-8 — Students at Belt 7-8 score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 74.5% (2019) to 74.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 74.5% (2019) to 74.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (406) 277-3351
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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