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Needs Improvement

#591 of 603 schools in MT

Chinook 7-8

Middle School · Chinook Elem

Box 1059, Chinook, MT 59523

Enrollment

55

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

3.4

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chinook

#3 of 3

public schools

Montana middle schools

#143 of 143

In district

#2 of 2

Chinook Elem

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Chinook 7-8

Chinook 7-8 is a small middle school located in the remote rural area of Chinook, Montana. Serving students in grades 7 through 8, the school has an enrollment of just 55 students and employs 4 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.2 out of 10, with its academic score at 1.8 out of 10, ranking it as the 570th best school among Montana’s 605 schools.

Academically, 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while only 22% achieve proficiency or better in math. Chinook 7-8 is situated in a rural setting where community support and involvement play crucial roles in student development and growth. Despite its challenges, the school focuses on providing personalized attention to each student within this tight-knit community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 55 students, Chinook 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.

Located in a rural area, Chinook 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 Progress1.8Significantly Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-9.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-20.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,692

Chinook 7-8 — Students at Chinook 7-8 score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.7%
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
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Chinook 7-8 Compares

See how Chinook 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
2th percentile in MT
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

Box 1059, Chinook, MT 59523

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chinook 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Harlem 7-8 (rated 5.4/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby Harlem), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Havre Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Havre), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chinook, see our Chinook schools guide .

Nearby Schools

18 within 22.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Chinook High School Chinook 0.0 mi 6.7
Meadowlark School Chinook 0.3 mi 5.3
Zurich School Zurich 9.1 mi 9.8
Davey Elementary Havre 15.6 mi
Cleveland School Chinook 22.4 mi
Hartland Elementary School Chinook 26.8 mi
Lincoln-McKinley School Havre 20.4 mi 4.4
Harlem Elementary School Harlem 20.6 mi 3.5
ST JUDE THADDEUS SCHOOL Havre 20.5 mi 7.9
Havre High School Havre 20.6 mi 3.9
Bear Paw School Chinook 27.1 mi
Sunnyside School Havre 20.7 mi 3.8
Harlem 7-8 Harlem 21.1 mi 5.4
Harlem High School Harlem 21.1 mi 5.7
Highland Park School Havre 21.8 mi 5.2
North Harlem Elementary Harlem 21.7 mi
Havre Middle School Havre 22.1 mi 5.4
WHITE CLAY IMMERSION SCHOOL Harlem 22.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,107

Median Home Value

$200,700

Median Rent

$739/mo

Population

2,281

College Educated

38.5%

Homeownership

72.8%

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

40.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chinook 7-8 has a median household income of $74,107. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $200,700, with a median rent of $739/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Choteau 7-8 Choteau, MT 3.5
Fairview 6-8 Fairview, MT 3.9
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell, MT 3.9
MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL Rexford, MT 2.8
Canyon Creek 6-8 Billings, MT 4.1
Charlo 6-8 Charlo, MT 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chinook 7-8

What grades does Chinook 7-8 serve?

Chinook 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Chinook 7-8?

Chinook 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 55 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chinook 7-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Chinook 7-8 is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chinook 7-8 rank in MT?

Chinook 7-8 is ranked #591 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Chinook 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Chinook 7-8 has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Chinook 7-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chinook 7-8 has 22.3% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chinook 7-8 a charter school?

No, Chinook 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chinook 7-8 a Title I school?

No, Chinook 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chinook 7-8?

61.8% of students at Chinook 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

City Safety
Elevated (952/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chinook). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Blaine County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chinook Elem
District Enrollment
211
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,728
District Rank
#2 of 2

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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