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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

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 metrics
Student Progress1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-11.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness1.4Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,989

Big Sandy High School — Students at Big Sandy High School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.8%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How Big Sandy High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
9th percentile in MT
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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