Average
#377 of 603 schools in MT
Colstrip High School
High School · Colstrip H S
PO Box 159, Colstrip, MT 59323
Enrollment
157
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
157
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Colstrip
#2 of 3
public schools
Montana high schools
#83 of 141
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Colstrip High School
Colstrip High School is a regular public high school serving students in grades 9 through 12. Located in the rural community of Colstrip, Montana, in Rosebud County, the school has an enrollment of 157 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is remote, offering a close-knit environment where each student receives individual attention.
Colstrip High School’s academic performance is currently rated at 4.5 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 28th percentile among Montana schools, placing it at #434 out of 605 high schools in the state. In terms of proficiency scores, 31% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 22% are proficient or above in Math. These numbers suggest there is room for improvement and growth in academic performance.
Despite its current challenges, Colstrip High School provides a supportive learning environment tailored to the needs of its rural community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 157 students, Colstrip 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, Colstrip 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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Colstrip High School — Students at Colstrip High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.5%
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: 3.7/10.
How Colstrip High School Compares
See how Colstrip High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 159, Colstrip, MT 59323
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Colstrip High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST LABRE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 27.3 miles away, in nearby Ashland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Forsyth High School (rated 6.0/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Forsyth), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lame Deer High School (rated 5.1/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Lame Deer), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Colstrip, see our Colstrip schools guide .
Nearby Schools
16 within 30.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Butte Elementary Sch Colstrip | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Frank Brattin Middle Schl Colstrip | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Lame Deer School Lame Deer | 20.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Lame Deer High School Lame Deer | 22.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Lame Deer 7-8 Lame Deer | 22.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Forsyth High School Forsyth | 24.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Forsyth 7-8 Forsyth | 24.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Forsyth Elementary School Forsyth | 24.7 mi | 8.8 |
| COTTONWOOD SCHOOL Forsyth | 21.8 mi | — |
| Rosebud School Rosebud | 26.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Rosebud High School Rosebud | 26.6 mi | — |
| Rosebud 7-8 Rosebud | 26.6 mi | — |
| ST LABRE HIGH SCHOOL Ashland | 27.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Ashland School Ashland | 28.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Ashland 7-8 Ashland | 28.2 mi | — |
| Northern Cheyenne Tribal School Busby | 30.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59323 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,000
Median Home Value
$193,700
Median Rent
$632/mo
Population
2,156
College Educated
25.2%
Homeownership
80.8%
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Median Age
43.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Colstrip High School has a median household income of $86,000. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,700, with a median rent of $632/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% 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 |
|---|---|
| Arlee High School Arlee, MT | 5.7 |
| Fairview High School Fairview, MT | 5.7 |
| Harlem High School Harlem, MT | 5.7 |
| Wolf Point High School Wolf Point, MT | 5.7 |
| Forsyth High School Forsyth, MT | 6.0 |
| St Ignatius High School St. Ignatius, MT | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Colstrip High School
What grades does Colstrip High School serve?
Colstrip High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Colstrip High School?
Colstrip High School has an enrollment of approximately 157 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Colstrip High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Colstrip High School is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Colstrip High School rank in MT?
Colstrip High School is ranked #377 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Colstrip High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Colstrip High School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Colstrip High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Colstrip High School has 21.5% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Colstrip High School a charter school?
No, Colstrip High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Colstrip High School a Title I school?
No, Colstrip High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colstrip High School?
46.5% of students at Colstrip 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
- City Safety
- Low (147/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Colstrip). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 157
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Rosebud County
- Phone
- (406) 748-4699
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Colstrip H S- District Enrollment
- 157
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $33,940
- 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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