Average
#397 of 603 schools in MT
Fairfield 7-8
Middle School · Fairfield Elem
Box 399, Fairfield, MT 59436
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
5.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
5.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fairfield
#2 of 4
public schools
Montana middle schools
#88 of 143
In district
#1 of 2
Fairfield Elem
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Fairfield 7-8
Fairfield 7-8 is a small middle school located in the remote rural area of Fairfield, Montana. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 40 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 10:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its modest size, Fairfield 7-8 focuses on providing individualized attention to each student.
Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks as the 338th best school in Montana based on state rankings. The academic score is 6.9 out of 10, indicating there's room for improvement but also potential for growth. In reading and ELA, 58% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 41% meet or exceed proficiency standards.
With its tight-knit community and supportive environment, Fairfield 7-8 offers a nurturing setting where students can thrive personally and academically. The school's remote location fosters a close-knit atmosphere that values individual student development and growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 40 students, Fairfield 7-8 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.
Located in a rural area, Fairfield 7-8 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Fairfield 7-8 — Students at Fairfield 7-8 score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50%
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: 3.5/10.
How Fairfield 7-8 Compares
See how Fairfield 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
Location
Box 399, Fairfield, MT 59436
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fairfield 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sun River Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Simms), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Choteau 7-8 (rated 3.5/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Choteau), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fairfield, see our Fairfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Elementary School Fairfield | 0.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Fairfield High School Fairfield | 0.0 mi | 5.4 |
| FAIRFIELD MENNONITE SCHOOL Fairfield | 4.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Greenfield 7-8 Fairfield | 5.6 mi | — |
| Greenfield School Fairfield | 5.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Sun River Middle School Simms | 8.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Simms High School Simms | 8.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Fort Shaw Elem School Simms | 10.3 mi | 9.4 |
| ELK CREEK MENNONITE Fort Shaw | 10.9 mi | — |
| Cascade Colony School Simms | 14.2 mi | — |
| Golden Ridge School Fairfield | 12.2 mi | — |
| Choteau School Choteau | 16.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Choteau 7-8 Choteau | 16.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Choteau High School Choteau | 16.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Power School Power | 15.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Power 7-8 Power | 15.1 mi | — |
| Power High School Power | 15.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Dutton/Brady Elementary Dutton | 20.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Dutton/Brady High School Dutton | 20.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Dutton/Brady Middle School Dutton | 20.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59436 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,047
Median Home Value
$271,700
Median Rent
$871/mo
Population
2,093
College Educated
26.5%
Homeownership
78.1%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fairfield 7-8 has a median household income of $78,047. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $271,700, with a median rent of $871/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Chester-Joplin-Inverness 7-8 Chester, MT | 5.7 |
| Marion 7-8 Marion, MT | 5.6 |
| Scobey 7-8 Scobey, MT | 5.6 |
| Drummond 7-8 Drummond, MT | 5.9 |
| Victor Middle School Victor, MT | 5.9 |
| Arlee 7-8 Arlee, MT | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fairfield 7-8
What grades does Fairfield 7-8 serve?
Fairfield 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Fairfield 7-8?
Fairfield 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairfield 7-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Fairfield 7-8 is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fairfield 7-8 rank in MT?
Fairfield 7-8 is ranked #397 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Fairfield 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Fairfield 7-8 has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Fairfield 7-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairfield 7-8 has 41.2% math proficiency and 57.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fairfield 7-8 a charter school?
No, Fairfield 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fairfield 7-8 a Title I school?
No, Fairfield 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fairfield 7-8?
50.0% of students at Fairfield 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (747/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 40
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Teton County
- Phone
- (406) 467-2425
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fairfield Elem- District Enrollment
- 208
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,850
- District Rank
- #1 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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