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Average

#418 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

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#418 of 603

In Missoula

#23 of 24

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

DeSmet Elem

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Desmet 6-8

5.4/10

Middle School in Missoula · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Desmet School

8.9/10

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

Hellgate Middle School

7.5/10

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

About Desmet 6-8

Desmet 6-8 is a public middle school in Missoula, MT, part of DeSmet Elem. Desmet 6-8 serves approximately 37 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Desmet 6-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #418 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Desmet 6-8 show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below MT schools
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 37 students, Desmet 6-8 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.

At 9.2:1 students to teachers, Desmet 6-8 sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

38% of students at Desmet 6-8 were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,614
Chronic Absenteeism37.8%

Desmet 6-8 — Students at Desmet 6-8 score 25% 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

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 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
49.5%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2011
Math
54.5%
ELA
84.5%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
95%
2014
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
15%
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: 3.7/10.

How Desmet 6-8 Compares

See how Desmet 6-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
31th percentile in MT
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.8%

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 7.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hellgate El Intermediate (rated 6.7/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Target Range 7-8 (rated 6.5/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably 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 8.9
Hellgate Middle School Missoula 3.1 mi 7.5
Hellgate El Intermediate Missoula 3.1 mi 6.7
Hellgate Elem Lower Grades Missoula 3.2 mi 7.4
Hellgate El Primary Grades Missoula 3.2 mi 7.5
MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula 4.1 mi
Hawthorne School Missoula 4.9 mi 8.5
Target Range School Missoula 5.8 mi 8.0
Target Range 7-8 Missoula 5.8 mi 6.5
Big Sky High School Missoula 5.9 mi 6.1
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 5.6
Franklin School Missoula 5.9 mi 6.7
Lowell School Missoula 5.3 mi 5.7
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 6.5
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Broadus 7-8 Broadus, MT 5.5
Absarokee 6-8 Absarokee, MT 5.3
Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell, MT 5.6
Sheridan 7-8 Sheridan, MT 5.6
Ramsay Middle School Ramsay, MT 5.7
Superior 7-8 Superior, MT 5.7

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 ranks #418 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Desmet 6-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Desmet 6-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Desmet 6-8?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Desmet 6-8 has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
18 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.8%

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

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