Below Average

#514 of 603 schools in MT

Darby 7-8

Middle School · Darby K-12 Schools

209 School Drive, Darby, MT 59829

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

4.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

4.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#514 of 603

In Darby

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Darby K-12 Schools

School environment

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Shortlisting around Darby 7-8?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

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Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Middle School in Darby · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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

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

About Darby 7-8

Darby 7-8 is a public middle school in Darby, MT, part of Darby K-12 Schools. Darby 7-8 serves approximately 50 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Darby 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #514 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Darby 7-8 show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts below MT schools

4.5

This school 4.5 · Below Average
MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 50 students, Darby 7-8 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.

Darby 7-8 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 · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress1.6Needs Improvement40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data12

Annual Change-5.49 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics5.9Average35%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency24.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+4.3 pts

Adjusted Percentile42th

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good25%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1

Per-Pupil Spending$15,285

Chronic Absenteeism18%

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 35.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 48.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 24 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

64.5%

ELA

95%

2010

Math

64.5%

ELA

84.5%

2011

Math

74.5%

ELA

84.5%

2012

Math

64.5%

ELA

95%

2015

Math

15%

ELA

34.5%

2016

Math

24.5%

ELA

24.5%

2017

Math

15%

ELA

24.5%

2018

Math

15%

ELA

15%

2019

Math

15%

ELA

15%

2020*

Math

24.5%

ELA

34.5%

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: 1.6/10.

How Darby 7-8 Compares

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

Overall Score

4.5/10

15th percentile in MT

Academic

5.9/10

Average

Growth

1.6/10

Needs Improvement

Environment

7.2/10

Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

100%

Teaching Staff

17:1 student-teacher ratio

3 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

18.0%

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. Corvallis 7-8 (rated 6.1/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Corvallis), which scores notably higher. Another option is Edna Thomas School (rated 5.8/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Corvallis), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hamilton Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Hamilton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Darby, see our Darby schools guide .

Nearby Schools

19 within 33.4 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Darby School Darby	0.0 mi	175	4.8
Darby High School Darby	0.1 mi	112	5.8
HAMILTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hamilton	12.1 mi	84	6.9
Daly School Hamilton	14.8 mi	554	5.9
Hamilton Middle School Hamilton	15.1 mi	484	5.0
BLODGETT VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hamilton	15.2 mi	33	4.6
Washington School Hamilton	15.4 mi	67	4.3
Hamilton High School Hamilton	15.8 mi	555	6.4
Quentin Brown Primary K-4 Corvallis	20.1 mi	530	6.3
Corvallis High School Corvallis	20.2 mi	446	4.7
Edna Thomas School Corvallis	20.3 mi	199	5.8
Corvallis 7-8 Corvallis	20.3 mi	237	6.1
PINES ACADEMY Pinesdale	21.0 mi	100	6.8
Victor School Victor	26.9 mi	114	3.1
Victor High School Victor	26.9 mi	80	4.9
Victor Middle School Victor	26.9 mi	45	3.5
Stevensville 7-8 Stevensville	33.4 mi	145	4.3
Stevensville K-6 Stevensville	33.4 mi	510	4.0
Stevensville High School Stevensville	33.4 mi	367	5.1

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

Median Age

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Alberton Middle School Alberton, MT	36	4.4
Box Elder 7-8 Box Elder, MT	58	4.6
KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell, MT	63	4.6
Rocky Boy 7-8 Box Elder, MT	67	4.3
Arlee 7-8 Arlee, MT	54	4.8
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell, MT	46	4.8

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 ranks #514 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Darby 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Darby 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Darby 7-8?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Darby 7-8 has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.