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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

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 metrics
Student Progress1.1Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-25 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-16.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,402

Custer High School — Students at Custer High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2021*
Math
75%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.2/10
22th percentile in MT
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
1.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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