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
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Darby 7-8 — Students at Darby 7-8 score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Darby 7-8 Compares
See how Darby 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 24.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 34.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (406) 821-3252
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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