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Average

#333 of 603 schools in MT

Cascade 6-8

Middle School · Cascade Elem

PO Box 529, Cascade, MT 59421

Enrollment

63

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cascade

#2 of 3

public schools

Montana middle schools

#68 of 143

In district

#1 of 2

Cascade Elem

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Cascade 6-8

Cascade 6-8 serves 63 middle school students in grades 6 through 8 in the rural community of Cascade, Montana. With just 4 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and close teacher-student relationships. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide at #122 out of 605 Montana schools.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 67% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 42% of students currently perform at proficient levels or higher. Cascade 6-8 draws students from a stable rural community where the median household income is $69,563 and median home values reach $323,900.

About 30% of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.7%, suggesting a community invested in education and family stability. The school sits in Montana's Cascade County, where students experience the benefits of small-town education while being part of a close-knit rural community of about 2,000 residents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 63 students, Cascade 6-8 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.

Located in a rural area, Cascade 6-8 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 Progress4.4Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected+13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,460

Cascade 6-8 — Students at Cascade 6-8 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 65.3%
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
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
67%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Cascade 6-8 Compares

See how Cascade 6-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in MT
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 529, Cascade, MT 59421

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cascade 6-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sun River Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Simms), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fairfield 7-8 (rated 5.7/10, 26.9 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cascade, see our Cascade schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Cascade School Cascade 0.0 mi 5.3
Cascade High School Cascade 0.0 mi 7.2
Fairhaven Colony Ulm 9.8 mi 5.9
Cascade Colony School Simms 12.7 mi
Ulm School Ulm 14.6 mi 6.5
Ulm Junior High Ulm 14.6 mi
Fort Shaw Elem School Simms 17.3 mi 9.4
Sun River Middle School Simms 18.4 mi 7.5
Simms High School Simms 18.4 mi 6.7
ELK CREEK MENNONITE Fort Shaw 22.2 mi
Vaughn School Vaughn 21.2 mi 7.3
Vaughn 7-8 Vaughn 21.2 mi
FAIRFIELD MENNONITE SCHOOL Fairfield 24.3 mi 4.0
Greenfield School Fairfield 26.4 mi 8.6
Greenfield 7-8 Fairfield 26.4 mi
Hillcrest Colony Elementary Vaughn 26.6 mi
Grass Land Colony School Sand Coulee 20.1 mi
Meadow Lark School Great Falls 22.9 mi 5.4
Fairfield Elementary School Fairfield 26.9 mi 5.0
Fairfield 7-8 Fairfield 26.9 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59421 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,688

Median Home Value

$337,200

Median Rent

$1,014/mo

Population

2,039

College Educated

29.7%

Homeownership

85.7%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

12.4%

Median Age

51.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cascade 6-8 has a median household income of $71,688. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $337,200, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Baker 7-8 Baker, MT 6.1
Arlee 7-8 Arlee, MT 6.0
Victor Middle School Victor, MT 5.9
Twin Bridges Middle School Twin Bridges, MT 6.3
West Yellowstone 6-8 West Yellowstone, MT 6.3
Fairfield 7-8 Fairfield, MT 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cascade 6-8

What grades does Cascade 6-8 serve?

Cascade 6-8 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Cascade 6-8?

Cascade 6-8 has an enrollment of approximately 63 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cascade 6-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Cascade 6-8 is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cascade 6-8 rank in MT?

Cascade 6-8 is ranked #333 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Cascade 6-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Cascade 6-8 has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Cascade 6-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cascade 6-8 has 47.0% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cascade 6-8 a charter school?

No, Cascade 6-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cascade 6-8 a Title I school?

No, Cascade 6-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cascade 6-8?

41.3% of students at Cascade 6-8 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
Average (333/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cascade County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cascade Elem
District Enrollment
200
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,864
District Rank
#1 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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