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Very Good

#183 of 603 schools in MT

Top 30% in state

Darby 7-8

Middle School · Darby K-12 Schools

209 School Drive, Darby, MT 59829

Enrollment

50

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

7.1

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Darby

#1 of 3

public schools

Montana middle schools

#36 of 143

In district

#1 of 3

Darby K-12 Schools

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Darby 7-8

Darby 7-8 is a middle school nestled in the remote rural area of Darby, Montana. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 50 students and employs three full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1. Despite its modest academic performance ranking at 422 out of 605 schools in Montana, Darby 7-8 remains committed to providing personalized attention and support for each student's learning journey.

In terms of academic proficiency, the school has room for improvement with only 28% of students meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts/Reading and 21% in Math. However, the tight-knit community fosters a supportive environment where teachers work closely with families to help students grow academically and personally. Darby 7-8 is situated in an area that offers a close-knit rural setting, making it a cozy place for young adolescents to explore their educational interests while feeling supported by their community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 50 students, Darby 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, Darby 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 Progress9.7Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,880

Darby 7-8 — Students at Darby 7-8 score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Darby 7-8 Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in MT
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

209 School Drive, Darby, MT 59829

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Darby 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Victor Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 26.9 miles away, in nearby Victor), a more accessible option. Another option is Hamilton Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Hamilton), a more accessible option. Additionally, Corvallis 7-8 (rated 5.7/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Corvallis), a more accessible option. For more schools in Darby, see our Darby schools guide .

Nearby Schools

19 within 33.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Darby School Darby 0.0 mi 6.4
Darby High School Darby 0.1 mi 6.7
HAMILTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hamilton 12.1 mi 6.9
Daly School Hamilton 14.8 mi 7.9
Hamilton Middle School Hamilton 15.1 mi 5.7
BLODGETT VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hamilton 15.2 mi 4.6
Washington School Hamilton 15.4 mi 6.2
Hamilton High School Hamilton 15.8 mi 7.5
Quentin Brown Primary K-4 Corvallis 20.1 mi 6.1
Corvallis High School Corvallis 20.2 mi 5.4
Edna Thomas School Corvallis 20.3 mi 4.8
Corvallis 7-8 Corvallis 20.3 mi 5.7
PINES ACADEMY Pinesdale 21.0 mi 6.8
Victor School Victor 26.9 mi 5.8
Victor High School Victor 26.9 mi 6.8
Victor Middle School Victor 26.9 mi 5.9
Stevensville 7-8 Stevensville 33.4 mi 4.5
Stevensville K-6 Stevensville 33.4 mi 4.7
Stevensville High School Stevensville 33.4 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59829 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,996

Median Home Value

$400,900

Median Rent

$963/mo

Population

2,338

College Educated

24.9%

Homeownership

76.2%

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

59

Community Profile

The community surrounding Darby 7-8 has a median household income of $63,996. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $400,900, with a median rent of $963/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% 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
Absarokee 6-8 Absarokee, MT 7.1
Plentywood 7-8 Plentywood, MT 7.0
Culbertson Junior High Culbertson, MT 7.2
Big Timber 7-8 Big Timber, MT 6.9
Belt 7-8 Belt, MT 7.3
Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 Hays, MT 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Darby 7-8

What grades does Darby 7-8 serve?

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

How many students attend Darby 7-8?

Darby 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 50 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Darby 7-8 is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Darby 7-8 rank in MT?

Darby 7-8 is ranked #183 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Darby 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Darby 7-8 has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Darby 7-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Darby 7-8 has 21.3% math proficiency and 28.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Darby 7-8 a charter school?

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

Is Darby 7-8 a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Darby 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

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
County Safety
Average (661/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Ravalli County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Darby K-12 Schools
District Enrollment
337
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,285
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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