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Average

#248 of 603 schools in MT

Top 41% in state

Forsyth 7-8

Middle School · Forsyth Elem

Box 319, Forsyth, MT 59327

Enrollment

44

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Forsyth

#2 of 3

public schools

Montana middle schools

#49 of 143

In district

#2 of 2

Forsyth Elem

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Forsyth 7-8

Forsyth 7-8 is a small middle school located in the remote rural area of Forsyth, Montana. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 44 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 8.8:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers. This intimate setting allows for personalized attention and support tailored to each student's needs.

Forsyth 7-8 is part of the regular public education system, providing middle school-aged children with foundational academic skills as they transition into high school. While the MySchoolScout rating reflects room for improvement at 5.3 out of 10, the school ranks in the 47th percentile statewide based on its academic performance score of 5.6/10. In terms of proficiency levels, 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 41% meet these standards in math.

Forsyth 7-8 is situated within a tight-knit rural community where the focus on student development extends beyond the classroom to involve families and local organizations. The school's setting offers a close-knit environment that fosters strong relationships between students, teachers, and parents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 44 students, Forsyth 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Forsyth 7-8 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.

Located in a rural area, Forsyth 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 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,376

Forsyth 7-8 — Students at Forsyth 7-8 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.8%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Forsyth 7-8 Compares

See how Forsyth 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in MT
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

Box 319, Forsyth, MT 59327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forsyth 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Forsyth Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rosebud School (rated 7.3/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Rosebud), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Frank Brattin Middle Schl (rated 6.7/10, 26.7 miles away, in nearby Colstrip), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Forsyth, see our Forsyth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

8 within 26.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Forsyth High School Forsyth 0.0 mi 6.0
Forsyth Elementary School Forsyth 0.7 mi 8.8
Rosebud School Rosebud 11.4 mi 7.3
Rosebud High School Rosebud 11.4 mi
Rosebud 7-8 Rosebud 11.4 mi
Colstrip High School Colstrip 24.6 mi 5.8
Pine Butte Elementary Sch Colstrip 25.0 mi 5.4
Frank Brattin Middle Schl Colstrip 26.7 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,125

Median Home Value

$210,200

Median Rent

$763/mo

Population

2,448

College Educated

20.1%

Homeownership

72.1%

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Forsyth 7-8 has a median household income of $58,125. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,200, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hobson 6-8 Hobson, MT 6.7
Bridger 7-8 Bridger, MT 6.8
Shields Valley 7-8 Clyde Park, MT 6.8
Plentywood 7-8 Plentywood, MT 7.0
St Regis 7-8 St. Regis, MT 6.4
Absarokee 6-8 Absarokee, MT 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forsyth 7-8

What grades does Forsyth 7-8 serve?

Forsyth 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Forsyth 7-8?

Forsyth 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 44 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Forsyth 7-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Forsyth 7-8 is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Forsyth 7-8 rank in MT?

Forsyth 7-8 is ranked #248 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Forsyth 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Forsyth 7-8 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 Forsyth 7-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forsyth 7-8 has 41.2% math proficiency and 37.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Forsyth 7-8 a charter school?

No, Forsyth 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Forsyth 7-8 a Title I school?

No, Forsyth 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forsyth 7-8?

40.9% of students at Forsyth 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.

9 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (121/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
44
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Rosebud County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Forsyth Elem
District Enrollment
187
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,223
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.

Read our full methodology

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