Average
#469 of 603 schools in MT
Custer High School
High School · Custer K-12 Schools
Box 69, Custer, MT 59024
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Custer
#2 of 2
public schools
Montana high schools
#106 of 141
In district
#2 of 2
Custer K-12 Schools
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Custer High School
Custer High School is a small rural high school located in Custer, Montana. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 30 students and a student-teacher ratio of 6 to 1, allowing for personalized attention and support. With five full-time equivalent teachers, Custer High focuses on providing individualized education tailored to each student's needs.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.1 out of 10, placing it in the bottom quartile among Montana schools based on state rankings. Academically, students show proficiency rates of 25% in ELA/Reading and 50% in Math across all grades. While these scores suggest there is room for improvement, the school’s small size and close-knit community create an environment where teachers can work closely with families to address academic challenges.
Custer High School is situated in a remote rural area, offering students a tight-knit setting that fosters strong connections among staff, students, and parents. This unique community provides a supportive atmosphere for learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 30 students, Custer 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, Custer High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Custer 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Custer High School — Students at Custer High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 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: 1.1/10.
How Custer High School Compares
See how Custer High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2021) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2021) to 25% (2022).
Location
Box 69, Custer, MT 59024
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Custer High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Melstone High School (rated 7.3/10, 36.0 miles away, in nearby Melstone), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hardin High School (rated 3.4/10, 27.2 miles away, in nearby Hardin), a more accessible option. For more schools in Custer, see our Custer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
13 within 36.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Custer School Custer | 0.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Custer 7-8 Custer | 0.0 mi | — |
| Hysham School Hysham | 19.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Hysham High School Hysham | 19.3 mi | — |
| Hysham 7-8 Hysham | 19.3 mi | — |
| Hardin High School Hardin | 27.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Hardin Middle School Hardin | 27.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Hardin Intermediate Hardin | 27.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Hardin Primary Hardin | 27.5 mi | 6.9 |
| BIG HORN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hardin | 27.6 mi | — |
| Melstone School Melstone | 36.0 mi | — |
| Melstone Middle School Melstone | 36.0 mi | — |
| Melstone High School Melstone | 36.0 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59024 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,250
Median Home Value
$190,600
Median Rent
$406/mo
Population
295
College Educated
23.2%
Homeownership
72.3%
Poverty Rate
15.3%
Median Age
59.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Custer High School has a median household income of $70,250. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,600, with a median rent of $406/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carter County High School Ekalaka, MT | 5.4 |
| Lambert High School Lambert, MT | 5.4 |
| Valier High School Valier, MT | 6.5 |
| Froid High School Froid, MT | 6.7 |
| Augusta High School Augusta, MT | — |
| BOZEMAN FIELD SCHOOL Bozeman, MT | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Custer High School
What grades does Custer High School serve?
Custer High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Custer High School?
Custer High School has an enrollment of approximately 30 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Custer High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Custer High School is 6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Custer High School rank in MT?
Custer High School is ranked #469 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Custer High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Custer High School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Custer High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Custer High School has 50.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Custer High School a charter school?
No, Custer High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Custer High School a Title I school?
No, Custer High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Custer High School?
40.0% of students at Custer 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
- County Safety
- Average (484/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 30
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Yellowstone County
- Phone
- (406) 856-4117
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Custer K-12 Schools- District Enrollment
- 88
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,105
- District Rank
- #2 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.
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