Average
#205 of 603 schools in MT
Top 34% in state
Big Timber 7-8
Middle School · Big Timber Elem
PO Box 887, Big Timber, MT 59011
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Big Timber
#2 of 3
public schools
Montana middle schools
#41 of 143
In district
#2 of 2
Big Timber Elem
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Big Timber 7-8
Big Timber 7-8 is a regular public middle school located in the remote rural setting of Big Timber, Montana. Serving seventh and eighth graders, the school has an enrollment of 70 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention from four full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Big Timber 7-8 shows room for growth; it holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and is ranked 143rd out of 605 schools in Montana, placing it in the 76th percentile statewide.
In terms of subject proficiency, 54% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 47% meet these standards in Math. The school's setting in a remote rural area offers unique opportunities for community involvement and outdoor learning experiences that might not be available in more urban settings.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 70 students, Big Timber 7-8 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, Big Timber 7-8 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Big Timber 7-8 — Students at Big Timber 7-8 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.6%
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
→ 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: 8.4/10.
How Big Timber 7-8 Compares
See how Big Timber 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
PO Box 887, Big Timber, MT 59011
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Big Timber 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Big Timber School (rated 7.8/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sweet Grass Co High Schl (rated 6.7/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Big Timber, see our Big Timber schools guide .
Nearby Schools
10 within 34.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Big Timber School Big Timber | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Sweet Grass Co High Schl Big Timber | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Greycliff School Greycliff | 9.3 mi | — |
| McLeod School Mcleod | 14.2 mi | — |
| Melville School Melville | 18.3 mi | — |
| Reed Point 7-8 Reed Point | 21.2 mi | — |
| Reed Point High School Reed Point | 21.2 mi | — |
| Reed Point Elementary Reed Point | 21.4 mi | — |
| Nye School Nye | 28.4 mi | — |
| Fishtail School Fishtail | 34.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59011 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,326
Median Home Value
$286,200
Median Rent
$1,061/mo
Population
3,131
College Educated
23.2%
Homeownership
75.1%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Median Age
43.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Big Timber 7-8 has a median household income of $67,326. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,200, with a median rent of $1,061/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Plentywood 7-8 Plentywood, MT | 7.0 |
| Absarokee 6-8 Absarokee, MT | 7.1 |
| Darby 7-8 Darby, MT | 7.1 |
| Ophir 7-8 Big Sky, MT | 7.1 |
| Forsyth 7-8 Forsyth, MT | 6.7 |
| Culbertson Junior High Culbertson, MT | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Big Timber 7-8
What grades does Big Timber 7-8 serve?
Big Timber 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Big Timber 7-8?
Big Timber 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 70 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Timber 7-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Big Timber 7-8 is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Big Timber 7-8 rank in MT?
Big Timber 7-8 is ranked #205 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Big Timber 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Timber 7-8 has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Timber 7-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Timber 7-8 has 47.0% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Big Timber 7-8 a charter school?
No, Big Timber 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Big Timber 7-8 a Title I school?
No, Big Timber 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Timber 7-8?
28.6% of students at Big Timber 7-8 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 70
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Sweet Grass County
- Phone
- (406) 932-5939
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Big Timber Elem- District Enrollment
- 305
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,852
- 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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