Average
#269 of 603 schools in MT
Top 44% in state
Chief Joseph Middle School
Middle School · Bozeman Elem
PO Box 520, Bozeman, MT 59771
Enrollment
757
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
757
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bozeman
#10 of 19
public schools
Montana middle schools
#54 of 143
In district
#4 of 11
Bozeman Elem
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Chief Joseph Middle School
Chief Joseph Middle School serves 757 students in grades 6-8 in Bozeman, Montana, with a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1 and 45 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned recognition as a strong academic performer, ranking #110 out of 605 schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile among Montana schools. The school demonstrates solid academic achievement with 63% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 52% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality middle school education during these crucial developmental years when students transition from elementary to high school academics. With nearly 800 students, Chief Joseph Middle School offers the advantages of a larger school environment while maintaining manageable class sizes through its reasonable student-teacher ratio. The school's academic score of 9.0 out of 10 and overall MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 highlight its effectiveness in serving middle school students.
Chief Joseph Middle School operates in Bozeman's small city setting in Gallatin County, providing students with access to both educational opportunities and the unique character of a Montana community nestled in the greater Yellowstone region.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Chief Joseph Middle School — Students at Chief Joseph Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
9.4%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.9/10.
How Chief Joseph Middle School Compares
See how Chief Joseph Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 53% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 63% (2022).
Location
PO Box 520, Bozeman, MT 59771
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chief Joseph Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Longfellow School (rated 8.4/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bozeman High School (rated 7.7/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HEADWATERS ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bozeman, see our Bozeman schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gallatin High School Bozeman | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Meadowlark Elementary Bozeman | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bozeman | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| BOZEMAN SUMMIT SCHOOOL Bozeman | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Hyalite Elementary Bozeman | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Emily Dickinson School Bozeman | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| PEAK POTENTIAL Bozeman | 1.8 mi | — |
| GREAT BEGINNINGS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bozeman | 2.4 mi | — |
| Bozeman High School Bozeman | 2.7 mi | 7.7 |
| HEADWATERS ACADEMY Bozeman | 2.5 mi | 7.4 |
| EMERGE PRIVATE SCHOOL Bozeman | 3.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Whittier School Bozeman | 2.8 mi | 5.1 |
| CHILDRENS DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF BOZEMAN Bozeman | 3.2 mi | — |
| Irving School Bozeman | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Bozeman Online Charter School Bozeman | 3.1 mi | 6.0 |
| BOZEMAN FIELD SCHOOL Bozeman | 3.8 mi | — |
| BOZEMAN FIELD SCHOOL Bozeman | 3.8 mi | — |
| LEARNING CIRCLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bozeman | 3.5 mi | — |
| Longfellow School Bozeman | 3.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Hawthorne School Bozeman | 3.5 mi | 5.4 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Laurel Middle School Laurel, MT | 6.4 |
| Belgrade Middle School Belgrade, MT | 6.3 |
| East Middle School Great Falls, MT | 6.9 |
| Sacajawea Middle School Bozeman, MT | 7.2 |
| Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish, MT | 7.2 |
| Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings, MT | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chief Joseph Middle School
What grades does Chief Joseph Middle School serve?
Chief Joseph Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Chief Joseph Middle School?
Chief Joseph Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 757 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chief Joseph Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Chief Joseph Middle School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chief Joseph Middle School rank in MT?
Chief Joseph Middle School is ranked #269 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Chief Joseph Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Chief Joseph Middle School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Chief Joseph Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chief Joseph Middle School has 51.0% math proficiency and 65.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Chief Joseph Middle School a charter school?
No, Chief Joseph Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Chief Joseph Middle School a Title I school?
No, Chief Joseph Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chief Joseph Middle School?
9.4% of students at Chief Joseph Middle 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
- City Safety
- High (2,212/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bozeman). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 757
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 9.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Gallatin County
- Phone
- (406) 522-6300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bozeman Elem- District Enrollment
- 4,679
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,840
- District Rank
- #4 of 11
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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