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Average

#301 of 603 schools in MT

Top 50% in state

Bigfork High School

High School · Bigfork H S

PO Box 188, Bigfork, MT 59911

Enrollment

352

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bigfork

#2 of 5

public schools

Montana high schools

#74 of 141

About Bigfork High School

Bigfork High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Bigfork, Montana. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 352 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. While the MySchoolScout Rating is at 5.0 out of 10, placing it around the 40th percentile among Montana high schools, Bigfork High School continues to focus on student development and academic growth.

Test scores show that 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, with math proficiency standing at 27%, indicating areas where improvement is needed. The school's setting in a remote rural area offers a unique environment for learning, allowing students to connect their studies with the natural beauty and outdoor activities abundant in Montana. Bigfork High School provides a supportive community atmosphere that fosters personal growth and prepares its graduates for various future endeavors.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Bigfork 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 Progress6.1Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,344

Bigfork High School — Students at Bigfork High School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
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
32%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
52%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Bigfork High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in MT
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

PO Box 188, Bigfork, MT 59911

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bigfork High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan School (rated 8.9/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Deer Park School (rated 8.1/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), which scores notably 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 7-8 Bigfork 0.0 mi 6.9
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 High School 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
Lincoln Co High School Eureka, MT 6.3
Sidney High School Sidney, MT 6.2
BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings, MT 6.5
Fergus High School Lewistown, MT 6.1
Huntley Project High Schl Worden, MT 6.6
Poplar High School Poplar, MT 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bigfork High School

What grades does Bigfork High School serve?

Bigfork High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bigfork High School?

Bigfork High School has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bigfork High School?

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

How does Bigfork High School rank in MT?

Bigfork High School is ranked #301 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Bigfork High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bigfork High School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Bigfork High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bigfork High School has 27.0% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bigfork High School a charter school?

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

Is Bigfork High School a Title I school?

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

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

32.4% of students at Bigfork 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
Elevated (776/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Flathead County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bigfork H S
District Enrollment
352
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,895
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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