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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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,589

Box Elder 7-8 — Students at Box Elder 7-8 score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 8.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.2%
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
15%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
15%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.7/10
14th percentile in MT
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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