Skip to main content

Average

#337 of 603 schools in MT

Big Sky High School

High School · Missoula H S · Missoula, MT

A Missoula H S high school where students score 5 points below what's typical for similar communities.

909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801

  • Math 27% proficient (2022)
  • Reading 47% proficient (2022)
  • 87.0% 4-year graduation

Academics

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.91 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness10.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment1.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, district spending per student, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
District spending per student$13,142
Chronic Absenteeism71.7%

Students at Big Sky High School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

2022 EdFacts proficiency

Most recent published year. School vs. MT average.

Math Proficiency27%(2022 EdFacts)
School
State
Not reported(2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency47%(2022 EdFacts)
School
State
Not reported(2022 EdFacts)

Trend

→ Steady

Proficiency is down 37 points across the 14-year record (2009–2022) and has held near 37% recently.

Show all 14 years
2009
Math
65%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
60%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
39%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
47%

Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 40% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 57% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Based on 28 test records from MT state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).

Equity & diversity

Shown separately, not included in the overall score

Free/reduced lunch

41.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

The neighborhood

Where Big Sky High School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.

Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.

Getting around & local context

  • Walk 12Car-Dependent
  • Transit 29Some Transit
  • Bike 40Somewhat Bikeable
  • City Safety: High4,253/100K

Powered byWalk Score

FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Missoula), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details

Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.

Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)

Median income

$55,022

Median home value

$393,400

Median rent

$1,086/mo

College educated

51.4%

Homeownership

40.8%

Poverty rate

16.6%

ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 59801; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.

Programs & students

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB ProgramsIB Programme
State avg: 2 AP courses·524 IB enrolled·CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22
Athletics3sports offered
1 boys'·2 girls'·15 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22
Advanced STEM Courses5of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22
Gifted & Talented ProgramAvailable
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students.·CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22

Compare nearby

Nearby same-level schools

4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available

SchoolScoreGradesDistanceEnrollmentCompare
Valley Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition6.8privatePK–120.9 mi335Compare →
Brightways Global AcademyPrivate · tuition6.2privateK–122.1 mi133Compare →
Sentinel High SchoolEnrollment path unverified5.89–122.3 mi1,386Compare →
Loyola Sacred Heart High SchoolPrivate · tuition6.8private9–122.8 mi181Compare →

Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.

Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.

Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.

Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.

Missoula H S

Schools in district
4
Rank in district
#2 of 4
District spending per student
$13,142NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
District child poverty rate
6.0%Census SAIPE · 2024

Big Sky High School is listed in Missoula H S; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.

About Big Sky High School

Big Sky High School is a public high school in Missoula, MT, part of Missoula H S, serving approximately 1,227 students in grades 9th-12th with a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #337 of 603 schools in MT. State assessment records show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Big Sky High School

What grades does Big Sky High School serve?

Big Sky High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Big Sky High School?

Big Sky High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,227 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Sky High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Big Sky High School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Big Sky High School rank in MT?

Big Sky High School ranks #337 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Big Sky High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Sky High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Big Sky High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Big Sky High School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Big Sky High School a charter school?

No, Big Sky High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Big Sky High School a Title I school?

No, Big Sky High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Sky High School?

41.2% of students at Big Sky 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.

School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,227
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
82
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Missoula County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
71.7%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%
Area population (ZIP 59801)
31,127
Area average commute
15.2 min
Area median age
31.6
About this school's data

Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.

School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
  • Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
MySchoolScout rating and rank
MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
  • Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
  • Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
Math proficiency
State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
  • Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
  • Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
  • Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
Reading/ELA proficiency
State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
  • Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
  • Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
  • Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
Student progress (growth)
NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
  • Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
  • Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
  • Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
  • Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
  • Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 59801; this does not measure the attendance area.
Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
  • Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
  • Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.

Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24

About our data · How we calculate scores

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.