Very Good
#133 of 603 schools in MT
Top 22% in state
Belt High School
High School · Belt H S
PO Box 197, Belt, MT 59412
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Belt
#1 of 3
public schools
Montana high schools
#29 of 141
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Belt High School
Belt High School serves 98 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Belt, Montana, maintaining an intimate learning environment with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio and 7 full-time equivalent teachers. This small public high school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 41st out of 605 Montana high schools and achieving a strong 7.8 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, Belt High School demonstrates solid performance with 70% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 50% reach proficiency in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 9.2 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence despite its small size. The school serves a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $75,250 and the poverty rate remains low at 8.2%. With 31% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values at $226,900, Belt represents a community that values education and provides a supportive environment for student achievement.
Located in Cascade County's rural landscape, Belt High School offers students a close-knit educational experience where individual attention and community connections help foster both academic success and personal growth in Montana's beautiful countryside setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 98 students, Belt High School 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 High School 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
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Belt High School — Students at Belt High School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.7%
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 High School Compares
See how Belt High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 49.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 69.5% (2019) to 69.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 197, Belt, MT 59412
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Belt High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Highwood High School (rated 8.9/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Highwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Centerville High School (rated 8.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Sand Coulee), which scores slightly higher. 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 7-8 Belt | 0.0 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 High School 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 |
|---|---|
| Noxon High School Noxon, MT | 7.4 |
| BUTTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Butte, MT | 7.5 |
| Heart Butte High School Heart Butte, MT | 7.5 |
| Chester-Joplin-Inverness HS Chester, MT | 7.3 |
| Choteau High School Choteau, MT | 7.3 |
| Cascade High School Cascade, MT | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Belt High School
What grades does Belt High School serve?
Belt High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Belt High School?
Belt High School has an enrollment of approximately 98 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Belt High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Belt High School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Belt High School rank in MT?
Belt High School is ranked #133 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Belt High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Belt High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belt High School has 49.5% math proficiency and 69.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Belt High School a charter school?
No, Belt High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Belt High School a Title I school?
No, Belt High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belt High School?
32.7% of students at Belt High School 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 98
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cascade County
- Phone
- (406) 277-3351
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Belt H S- District Enrollment
- 98
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,956
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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