Average
#206 of 603 schools in MT
Top 34% in state
Bigfork 7-8
Middle School · Bigfork Elem
PO Box 188, Bigfork, MT 59911
Enrollment
153
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
153
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bigfork
#1 of 5
public schools
Montana middle schools
#42 of 143
In district
#1 of 2
Bigfork Elem
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Bigfork 7-8
Bigfork 7-8 is a middle school nestled in the remote rural area of Bigfork, Montana. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 153 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers. The MySchoolScout rating for Bigfork 7-8 is 6.7 out of 10, placing it at #119 among all schools in Montana, which reflects its solid academic standing despite areas where growth is needed.
In terms of standardized tests, the school reports that 64% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 37% are proficient or above in math. Bigfork 7-8 focuses on providing a supportive educational environment for young adolescents in a small community setting. While there's room for improvement in academic performance, the school continues to nurture student development and engagement with its dedicated staff.
The school is situated in a scenic rural area that offers students unique opportunities beyond traditional classroom learning.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 153 students, Bigfork 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, Bigfork 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
Bigfork 7-8 — Students at Bigfork 7-8 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.4%
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: 8.8/10.
How Bigfork 7-8 Compares
See how Bigfork 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
PO Box 188, Bigfork, MT 59911
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bigfork 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Somers Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Somers), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cayuse Prairie 7-8 (rated 7.5/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bigfork, see our Bigfork schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bigfork Elementary Bigfork | 0.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Bigfork High School Bigfork | 0.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Swan River School Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Swan River 6-8 Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Creston School Kalispell | 9.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Somers Middle School Somers | 6.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Lakeside Elementary School Somers | 7.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 8.1 |
| STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 12.0 mi | 5.6 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 13.9 mi | 6.8 |
| KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell | 13.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Deer Park School Columbia Falls | 16.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 16.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell | 12.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 14.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell | 13.6 mi | 5.3 |
| WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell | 13.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59911 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,846
Median Home Value
$608,000
Median Rent
$1,158/mo
Population
9,316
College Educated
50.5%
Homeownership
85%
Avg Commute
23.8 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
54.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bigfork 7-8 has a median household income of $81,846. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $608,000, with a median rent of $1,158/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Roosevelt Junior High Red Lodge, MT | 6.8 |
| Frank Brattin Middle Schl Colstrip, MT | 6.7 |
| Manhattan 6-8 Manhattan, MT | 6.7 |
| Monforton 6-8 Bozeman, MT | 6.7 |
| Poplar 5-6 School Poplar, MT | 6.7 |
| Montana City Middle Schl Clancy, MT | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bigfork 7-8
What grades does Bigfork 7-8 serve?
Bigfork 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Bigfork 7-8?
Bigfork 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 153 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bigfork 7-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Bigfork 7-8 is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bigfork 7-8 rank in MT?
Bigfork 7-8 is ranked #206 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Bigfork 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Bigfork 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 Bigfork 7-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bigfork 7-8 has 37.0% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bigfork 7-8 a charter school?
No, Bigfork 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bigfork 7-8 a Title I school?
No, Bigfork 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bigfork 7-8?
29.4% of students at Bigfork 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (776/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 153
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Flathead County
- Phone
- (406) 837-7412
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bigfork Elem- District Enrollment
- 598
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,189
- District Rank
- #1 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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