Skip to main content

Average

#246 of 603 schools in MT

Top 41% in state

Darby High School

High School · Darby K-12 Schools

209 School Drive, Darby, MT 59829

Enrollment

112

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Darby

#2 of 3

public schools

Montana high schools

#58 of 141

In district

#2 of 3

Darby K-12 Schools

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Darby High School

Darby High School is a regular public high school located in the rural town of Darby, Montana. With an enrollment of just 112 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, the school offers personalized attention and support to each student. The dedicated staff includes nine full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to meet the needs of their students in this remote setting.

Academically, Darby High School has room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and a state ranking of #453 out of 605 schools in Montana, placing it around the 25th percentile. The school’s academic score is 2.3 out of 10, indicating areas where further development could benefit students. In terms of proficiency rates, only 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 12% in Math.

Despite these challenges, Darby High School continues to focus on student development and growth within its rural community. The setting provides a close-knit environment where teachers and students can build strong relationships and work together to achieve academic success.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 112 students, Darby 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.

While current test scores at Darby High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Darby 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 Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,880

Darby High School — Students at Darby High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Darby High School Compares

See how Darby High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in MT
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

209 School Drive, Darby, MT 59829

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Darby High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hamilton High School (rated 7.5/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Hamilton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Victor High School (rated 6.8/10, 26.8 miles away, in nearby Victor), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Corvallis High School (rated 5.4/10, 20.2 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 0.1 mi 6.4
Darby 7-8 Darby 0.1 mi 7.1
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 15.3 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 26.8 mi 5.8
Victor High School Victor 26.8 mi 6.8
Victor Middle School Victor 26.8 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 High School 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
Chinook High School Chinook, MT 6.7
Simms High School Simms, MT 6.7
Sweet Grass Co High Schl Big Timber, MT 6.7
Hays-Lodge Pole High Sch Hays, MT 6.8
Joliet High School Joliet, MT 6.8
Victor High School Victor, MT 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Darby High School

What grades does Darby High School serve?

Darby High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Darby High School?

Darby High School has an enrollment of approximately 112 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Darby High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Darby High School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Darby High School rank in MT?

Darby High School is ranked #246 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Darby High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Darby High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Darby High School has 11.7% math proficiency and 21.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Darby High School a charter school?

No, Darby High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Darby High School a Title I school?

No, Darby High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Darby High School?

99.1% of students at Darby 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 (661/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
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
#2 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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.