Average
#431 of 603 schools in MT
Carter County High School
High School · Carter County H S
Box 458, Ekalaka, MT 59324
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher
6.2:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher
6.2:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ekalaka
#2 of 2
public schools
Montana high schools
#97 of 141
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Carter County High School
Carter County High School is a small high school located in the remote rural area of Ekalaka, Montana. Serving grades 9 through 12, the school has an enrollment of just 37 students and six full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 6.2:1. With its focus on personalized attention, Carter County High School strives to meet the needs of each individual student.
The academic performance at Carter County High School is currently rated at 3.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 541st out of 605 schools in Montana. In terms of proficiency rates, 42% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math. While the school’s academic scores show room for growth, it continues to work diligently on student development.
Carter County High School is situated in a community where close-knit relationships and support systems play a crucial role in fostering a positive learning environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 37 students, Carter County 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.2:1, Carter County High School 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, Carter County 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 metricsView breakdown
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Carter County High School — Students at Carter County High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.1%
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: 1.2/10.
How Carter County High School Compares
See how Carter County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
Box 458, Ekalaka, MT 59324
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carter County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lincoln School (rated 7.5/10, 34.9 miles away, in nearby Baker), which scores notably higher. Another option is Longfellow School (rated 6.6/10, 35.0 miles away, in nearby Baker), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Baker 7-8 (rated 6.1/10, 34.7 miles away, in nearby Baker), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ekalaka, see our Ekalaka schools guide .
Nearby Schools
7 within 35.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ekalaka 7-8 Ekalaka | 0.0 mi | — |
| Ekalaka Elementary School Ekalaka | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Hawks Home School Hammond | 34.8 mi | — |
| Baker 7-8 Baker | 34.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Baker High School Baker | 34.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Lincoln School Baker | 34.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Longfellow School Baker | 35.0 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59324 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,083
Median Home Value
$138,600
Median Rent
$660/mo
Population
746
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
65.9%
Poverty Rate
16.5%
Median Age
57.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carter County High School has a median household income of $57,083. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,600, with a median rent of $660/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lambert High School Lambert, MT | 5.4 |
| Winifred High School Winifred, MT | 5.4 |
| Custer High School Custer, MT | 5.2 |
| Lincoln High School Lincoln, MT | 5.7 |
| TURNING WINDS ACADEMIC INSTITUTE Troy, MT | 6.1 |
| Valier High School Valier, MT | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carter County High School
What grades does Carter County High School serve?
Carter County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Carter County High School?
Carter County High School has an enrollment of approximately 37 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carter County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carter County High School is 6.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carter County High School rank in MT?
Carter County High School is ranked #431 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Carter County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carter County High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Carter County High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carter County High School has 41.7% math proficiency and 41.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carter County High School a charter school?
No, Carter County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carter County High School a Title I school?
No, Carter County High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carter County High School?
54.1% of students at Carter County 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 37
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Carter County
- Phone
- (406) 775-8767
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carter County H S- District Enrollment
- 37
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $32,419
- 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.
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