Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.4Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+16.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College Readiness4.4Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,578

Belt High School — Students at Belt High School score 60% 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

32.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.5%
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
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2022
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%

* 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 High School Compares

See how Belt High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
78th percentile in MT
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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.

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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.