Below Average
#551 of 603 schools in MT
Big Sandy High School
High School · Big Sandy K-12
PO Box 570, Big Sandy, MT 59520
Enrollment
54
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
54
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Big Sandy
#2 of 2
public schools
Montana high schools
#127 of 141
In district
#2 of 2
Big Sandy K-12
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Big Sandy High School
Big Sandy High School is a small, close-knit high school located in the remote rural area of Big Sandy, Montana. With an enrollment of just 54 students and a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The dedicated staff includes seven full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their pupils’ academic and personal growth.
According to MySchoolScout’s data, Big Sandy High School has a rating of 5.6 out of 10, placing it at #269 among the 605 high schools in Montana. In terms of academic performance, 55% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 35% meet proficiency standards in math. The school is focusing on student development and has room for improvement in test scores.
Big Sandy High School serves a tight-knit community located in Chouteau County, where the setting and rural environment provide unique opportunities for students to engage with their surroundings and build strong connections within the local area.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 54 students, Big Sandy 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, Big Sandy High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Big Sandy 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 metricsView breakdown
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Big Sandy High School — Students at Big Sandy High School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.7/10.
How Big Sandy High School Compares
See how Big Sandy High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 90% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 570, Big Sandy, MT 59520
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Big Sandy High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Box Elder High School (rated 7.1/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Box Elder), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rocky Boy High School (rated 6.4/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Box Elder), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Star High School (rated 5.4/10, 33.2 miles away, in nearby Rudyard), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Big Sandy, see our Big Sandy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
17 within 33.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sandy 7-8 Big Sandy | 0.0 mi | — |
| F E Miley School Big Sandy | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Box Elder School Box Elder | 10.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Box Elder 7-8 Box Elder | 10.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Box Elder High School Box Elder | 10.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Rocky Boy School Box Elder | 16.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Rocky Boy 7-8 Box Elder | 16.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Rocky Boy High School Box Elder | 16.2 mi | 6.4 |
| North Star School Rudyard | 28.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Havre Middle School Havre | 31.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Highland Park School Havre | 31.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Havre High School Havre | 31.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Sunnyside School Havre | 32.1 mi | 3.8 |
| ST JUDE THADDEUS SCHOOL Havre | 32.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Lincoln-McKinley School Havre | 32.8 mi | 4.4 |
| North Star 7-8 Rudyard | 33.2 mi | — |
| North Star High School Rudyard | 33.2 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59520 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,667
Median Home Value
$123,900
Median Rent
$610/mo
Population
1,211
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
60.4%
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
40.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Big Sandy High School has a median household income of $58,667. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,900, with a median rent of $610/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% 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 |
|---|---|
| St Regis High School St. Regis, MT | 3.8 |
| West Yellowstone HS West Yellowstone, MT | 3.2 |
| Carter County High School Ekalaka, MT | 5.4 |
| Lambert High School Lambert, MT | 5.4 |
| North Star High School Rudyard, MT | 5.4 |
| Winifred High School Winifred, MT | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Big Sandy High School
What grades does Big Sandy High School serve?
Big Sandy High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Big Sandy High School?
Big Sandy High School has an enrollment of approximately 54 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Sandy High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Big Sandy High School is 7.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Big Sandy High School rank in MT?
Big Sandy High School is ranked #551 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Big Sandy High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Sandy High School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Big Sandy High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Sandy High School has 34.8% math proficiency and 54.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Big Sandy High School a charter school?
No, Big Sandy High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Big Sandy High School a Title I school?
No, Big Sandy High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Sandy High School?
42.6% of students at Big Sandy 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
- County Safety
- Average (476/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 54
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Chouteau County
- Phone
- (406) 378-2502
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Big Sandy K-12- District Enrollment
- 192
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,299
- District Rank
- #2 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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