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Average

#386 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

5.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#386 of 603

In Colstrip

#1 of 3

public schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Colstrip High School

5.6/10

High School in Colstrip · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pine Butte Elementary Sch

5.0/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Frank Brattin Middle Schl

4.4/10

2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Colstrip High School

Colstrip High School is a public high school in Colstrip, MT, part of Colstrip H S. Colstrip High School serves approximately 157 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Colstrip High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #386 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Colstrip High School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below MT schools
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • MT avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 157 students, Colstrip High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Colstrip High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-5.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-20.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate84.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$33,940
Chronic Absenteeism26.8%

Colstrip High School — Students at Colstrip High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 22 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2010
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%
2011
Math
64.5%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%
2016
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
64.5%
2018
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2019
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Colstrip High School Compares

See how Colstrip High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
36th percentile in MT
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
Sports
6
3 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.8%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics6sports offered
3 boys'·3 girls'·11 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.0/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Forsyth), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lame Deer High School (rated 5.5/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Lame Deer), with a very similar 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 5.0
Frank Brattin Middle Schl Colstrip 2.1 mi 4.4
Lame Deer School Lame Deer 20.4 mi 4.7
Lame Deer High School Lame Deer 22.4 mi 5.5
Lame Deer 7-8 Lame Deer 22.4 mi 6.0
Forsyth High School Forsyth 24.6 mi 7.0
Forsyth 7-8 Forsyth 24.6 mi 6.7
Forsyth Elementary School Forsyth 24.7 mi 9.3
COTTONWOOD SCHOOL Forsyth 21.8 mi
Rosebud School Rosebud 26.6 mi 4.0
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 6.7
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Baker High School Baker, MT 5.5
Lame Deer High School Lame Deer, MT 5.5
Lodge Grass High School Lodge Grass, MT 5.5
Darby High School Darby, MT 5.8
Whitehall High School Whitehall, MT 5.3
Chinook High School Chinook, MT 5.2

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 ranks #386 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Colstrip High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Colstrip High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Colstrip High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Colstrip High School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.8%
4-Year Graduation
84.5%

District

Colstrip H S
District Enrollment
157
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$33,940
District Rank
#1 of 1

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