Below Average
#521 of 603 schools in MT
Box Elder 7-8
Middle School · Box Elder Elem
Box 205, Box Elder, MT 59521
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Box Elder
#6 of 6
public schools
Montana middle schools
#117 of 143
In district
#2 of 2
Box Elder Elem
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Box Elder 7-8
Box Elder 7-8 is a small middle school located in the rural community of Box Elder, Montana. With an enrollment of just 58 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, the school provides personalized attention to each student. The six full-time equivalent teachers focus on supporting their students' individual needs within this remote setting.
While the MySchoolScout rating for Box Elder 7-8 is relatively low at 2.8 out of 10, with a state ranking of #594 out of 605 schools in Montana (placing it in the 2nd percentile), and an academic score of 1.5 out of 10, there is room for growth and improvement in areas like ELA/Reading, where 22% of students are proficient or above, and Math, with only 8% proficiency. The school community works hard to ensure that every student receives the support they need despite these challenges. Box Elder 7-8 sits in a remote rural area, offering students a close-knit environment where everyone knows each other well.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 58 students, Box Elder 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Box Elder 7-8 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, Box Elder 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
Box Elder 7-8 — Students at Box Elder 7-8 score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.6/10.
How Box Elder 7-8 Compares
See how Box Elder 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 15% (2022).
Location
Box 205, Box Elder, MT 59521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Box Elder 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rocky Boy 7-8 (rated 5.5/10, 11.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Havre Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Havre), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Box Elder, see our Box Elder schools guide .
Nearby Schools
19 within 35.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Box Elder School Box Elder | 0.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Box Elder High School Box Elder | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Big Sandy High School Big Sandy | 10.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Big Sandy 7-8 Big Sandy | 10.7 mi | — |
| F E Miley School Big Sandy | 11.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Rocky Boy School Box Elder | 11.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Rocky Boy 7-8 Box Elder | 11.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Rocky Boy High School Box Elder | 11.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Havre Middle School Havre | 21.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Highland Park School Havre | 21.1 mi | 5.2 |
| North Star School Rudyard | 22.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Sunnyside School Havre | 21.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Havre High School Havre | 21.6 mi | 3.9 |
| ST JUDE THADDEUS SCHOOL Havre | 22.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Lincoln-McKinley School Havre | 22.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Cottonwood School Havre | 32.0 mi | — |
| Bear Paw School Chinook | 22.9 mi | — |
| Davey Elementary Havre | 25.0 mi | — |
| Gildford Colony School Gildford | 35.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,345
Median Home Value
$67,800
Median Rent
$374/mo
Population
3,616
College Educated
16.6%
Homeownership
41.4%
Poverty Rate
34.2%
Median Age
30.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Box Elder 7-8 has a median household income of $45,345. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $67,800, with a median rent of $374/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lodge Grass 7-8 Lodge Grass, MT | 4.7 |
| Smith Valley 7-8 Kalispell, MT | 4.7 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls, MT | 4.8 |
| Lone Rock Middle School Stevensville, MT | 4.8 |
| KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell, MT | 4.6 |
| Swan River 6-8 Bigfork, MT | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Box Elder 7-8
What grades does Box Elder 7-8 serve?
Box Elder 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Box Elder 7-8?
Box Elder 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 58 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Box Elder 7-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Box Elder 7-8 is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Box Elder 7-8 rank in MT?
Box Elder 7-8 is ranked #521 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Box Elder 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Box Elder 7-8 has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Box Elder 7-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Box Elder 7-8 has 8.3% math proficiency and 22.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Box Elder 7-8 a charter school?
No, Box Elder 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Box Elder 7-8 a Title I school?
No, Box Elder 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Box Elder 7-8?
100.0% of students at Box Elder 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 (996/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 58
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hill County
- Phone
- (406) 352-4195
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Box Elder Elem- District Enrollment
- 292
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,294
- 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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