Average
#455 of 603 schools in MT
Desmet 6-8
Middle School · DeSmet Elem
6355 Padre Lane, Missoula, MT 59808
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Missoula
#21 of 24
public schools
Montana middle schools
#105 of 143
In district
#2 of 2
DeSmet Elem
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Desmet 6-8
DeSmet 6-8 is a small public middle school in Missoula, Montana, serving students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of just 37 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The four full-time equivalent teachers are well-equipped to provide individualized support in a nurturing environment.
Academically, DeSmet 6-8 is ranked #435 out of 605 schools in Montana, placing it at the 28th percentile. The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 4.5 out of 10, with an academic score of 2.7/10. In English Language Arts and Reading, 38% of students are proficient or above, while only 18% meet proficiency standards in math.
These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on student development and growth. Located in a small city setting within Missoula County, DeSmet 6-8 is nestled in an area that values community engagement and education. Despite its challenges, the close-knit atmosphere encourages collaboration among teachers and parents to support students' learning needs.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 37 students, Desmet 6-8 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Desmet 6-8 offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desmet 6-8 — Students at Desmet 6-8 score 25% proficient, which is below 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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.3/10.
How Desmet 6-8 Compares
See how Desmet 6-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022).
Location
6355 Padre Lane, Missoula, MT 59808
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desmet 6-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hellgate Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meadow Hill Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 7.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Target Range 7-8 (rated 6.0/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DeSmet School Missoula | 0.0 mi | 9.6 |
| Hellgate Middle School Missoula | 3.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Hellgate El Intermediate Missoula | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Hellgate Elem Lower Grades Missoula | 3.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Hellgate El Primary Grades Missoula | 3.2 mi | 7.3 |
| MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula | 4.1 mi | — |
| Hawthorne School Missoula | 4.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Target Range School Missoula | 5.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Target Range 7-8 Missoula | 5.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Big Sky High School Missoula | 5.9 mi | 7.8 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula | 5.7 mi | 6.8 |
| SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula | 5.5 mi | 6.9 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Missoula | 6.1 mi | — |
| Porter Middle School Missoula | 6.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Franklin School Missoula | 5.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Lowell School Missoula | 5.3 mi | 8.1 |
| MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula | 6.0 mi | 7.9 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula | 6.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula | 7.4 mi | 7.0 |
| LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula | 6.5 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59808 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,795
Median Home Value
$419,800
Median Rent
$1,236/mo
Population
22,804
College Educated
39.8%
Homeownership
63.2%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Median Age
36.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desmet 6-8 has a median household income of $76,795. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $419,800, with a median rent of $1,236/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ramsay Middle School Ramsay, MT | 5.4 |
| Marion 7-8 Marion, MT | 5.6 |
| Scobey 7-8 Scobey, MT | 5.6 |
| Chester-Joplin-Inverness 7-8 Chester, MT | 5.7 |
| Fairfield 7-8 Fairfield, MT | 5.7 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls, MT | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desmet 6-8
What grades does Desmet 6-8 serve?
Desmet 6-8 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Desmet 6-8?
Desmet 6-8 has an enrollment of approximately 37 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desmet 6-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Desmet 6-8 is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desmet 6-8 rank in MT?
Desmet 6-8 is ranked #455 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Desmet 6-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Desmet 6-8 has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Desmet 6-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desmet 6-8 has 18.3% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desmet 6-8 a charter school?
No, Desmet 6-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desmet 6-8 a Title I school?
No, Desmet 6-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desmet 6-8?
100.0% of students at Desmet 6-8 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
- City Safety
- High (4,253/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Missoula). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 37
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Missoula County
- Phone
- (406) 549-4994
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DeSmet Elem- District Enrollment
- 129
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,614
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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