Needs Improvement
#585 of 603 schools in MT
Broadwater High School
High School · Townsend K-12 Schools
201 N Spruce, Townsend, MT 59644
Enrollment
182
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
182
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Townsend
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana high schools
#137 of 141
In district
#3 of 3
Townsend K-12 Schools
School environment
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Broadwater High School
Broadwater High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Townsend, Montana. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, Broadwater High has an enrollment of 182 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student.
Broadwater High's academic performance currently ranks in the lower percentile among Montana schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.7 out of 10. Students perform better in ELA/Reading, where 54% are proficient or above, compared to Math, where only 31% reach proficiency levels. Despite these challenges, Broadwater High School is focused on supporting its students through various developmental programs and community resources available in the rural setting of Townsend.
The school's location offers a close-knit community atmosphere, fostering strong relationships between students, teachers, and families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 182 students, Broadwater High School 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, Broadwater 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
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Broadwater High School — Students at Broadwater High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.4%
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
↓ 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: 2.0/10.
How Broadwater High School Compares
See how Broadwater High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022).
Location
201 N Spruce, Townsend, MT 59644
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Broadwater High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Manhattan H S (rated 6.7/10, 33.1 miles away, in nearby Manhattan), which scores notably higher. Another option is Three Forks High School (rated 5.1/10, 29.4 miles away, in nearby Three Forks), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Helena High School (rated 3.1/10, 27.1 miles away, in nearby East Helena), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Townsend, see our Townsend schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 34.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cecelia Hazelton School Townsend | 0.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Townsend 7-8 Townsend | 0.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Three Forks Elem School Three Forks | 29.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Three Forks 7-8 Three Forks | 29.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Three Forks High School Three Forks | 29.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Eastgate School East Helena | 26.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Montana City School Clancy | 24.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Montana City Middle Schl Clancy | 24.8 mi | 7.3 |
| East Valley Middle School East Helena | 26.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Radley Elementary School East Helena | 26.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Prickly Pear Elem East Helena | 26.7 mi | 4.4 |
| East Helena High School East Helena | 27.1 mi | 3.1 |
| Clancy School Clancy | 24.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Clancy 7-8 Clancy | 24.5 mi | 5.3 |
| HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena | 27.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Manhattan Elem Manhattan | 33.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Manhattan 6-8 Manhattan | 33.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Manhattan H S Manhattan | 33.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Willow Creek School Willow Creek | 34.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Willow Creek 7-8 Willow Creek | 34.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59644 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,082
Median Home Value
$307,500
Median Rent
$1,022/mo
Population
4,337
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
75.1%
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Median Age
48.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Broadwater High School has a median household income of $59,082. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,500, with a median rent of $1,022/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| NELSON ACADEMY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES ONLINE Scobey, MT | 3.4 |
| Malta High School Malta, MT | 4.0 |
| Baker High School Baker, MT | 4.2 |
| Shelby High School Shelby, MT | 4.2 |
| Fort Benton High School Fort Benton, MT | 4.3 |
| Whitehall High School Whitehall, MT | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Broadwater High School
What grades does Broadwater High School serve?
Broadwater High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Broadwater High School?
Broadwater High School has an enrollment of approximately 182 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Broadwater High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Broadwater High School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Broadwater High School rank in MT?
Broadwater High School is ranked #585 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Broadwater High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Broadwater High School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Broadwater High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Broadwater High School has 31.3% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Broadwater High School a charter school?
No, Broadwater High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Broadwater High School a Title I school?
No, Broadwater High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Broadwater High School?
37.4% of students at Broadwater 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (780/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 182
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Broadwater County
- Phone
- (406) 441-3430
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Townsend K-12 Schools- District Enrollment
- 700
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,363
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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