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
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Darby High School — Students at Darby High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Darby High School Compares
See how Darby High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 24.5% (2019) to 30% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 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
- #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.
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