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Excellent

#25 of 603 schools in MT

Top 4% in state

Fort Benton 7-8

Middle School · Fort Benton Elem

PO Box 399, Fort Benton, MT 59442

Enrollment

55

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

8.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#25 of 603

In Fort Benton

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Fort Benton Elem

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Fort Benton 7-8

8.9/10

Middle School in Fort Benton · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fort Benton High School

4.8/10

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

Fort Benton School

9.0/10

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

About Fort Benton 7-8

Fort Benton 7-8 is a public middle school in Fort Benton, MT, part of Fort Benton Elem. Fort Benton 7-8 serves approximately 55 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Fort Benton 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #25 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Fort Benton 7-8 show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.9 pts above MT schools
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 55 students, Fort Benton 7-8 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.

Fort Benton 7-8 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.26 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency60% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,145
Chronic Absenteeism1.8%

Fort Benton 7-8 — Students at Fort Benton 7-8 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 59.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.0% (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
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2010
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2011
Math
74.5%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2014
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2015
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2016
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2017
Math
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2018
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2020*
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Fort Benton 7-8 Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
96th percentile in MT
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
1.8%

Location

PO Box 399, Fort Benton, MT 59442

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fort Benton 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Belt 7-8 (rated 8.9/10, 32.3 miles away, in nearby Belt), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Centerville 6-8 (rated 7.2/10, 37.3 miles away, in nearby Sand Coulee), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fort Benton, see our Fort Benton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

17 within 37.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Fort Benton High School Fort Benton 0.0 mi 4.8
Fort Benton School Fort Benton 0.3 mi 9.0
Highwood School Highwood 17.6 mi 9.2
Highwood High School Highwood 17.6 mi 7.2
Highwood Middle School Highwood 17.6 mi
Carter School Carter 13.8 mi
Geraldine Elementary Geraldine 23.9 mi 8.1
Geraldine High School Geraldine 23.9 mi
Geraldine Middle School Geraldine 23.9 mi
Belt School Belt 32.3 mi 8.8
Pleasant Valley School Belt 32.3 mi
Belt 7-8 Belt 32.3 mi 8.9
Belt High School Belt 32.3 mi 7.4
Hill Top Colony School Sand Coulee 36.0 mi
Centerville School Sand Coulee 37.3 mi 5.1
Centerville 6-8 Sand Coulee 37.3 mi 7.2
Centerville High School Sand Coulee 37.3 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59442 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,024

Median Home Value

$209,600

Median Rent

$690/mo

Population

1,777

College Educated

27.9%

Homeownership

75.4%

Poverty Rate

2.8%

Median Age

44.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Belt 7-8 Belt, MT 8.9
Chester-Joplin-Inverness 7-8 Chester, MT 8.8
Redwater School Circle, MT 8.8
DE LA SALLE BLACKFEET SCHOOL Browning, MT 8.4
Ennis 7-8 Ennis, MT 8.4
Plains 7-8 Plains, MT 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fort Benton 7-8

What grades does Fort Benton 7-8 serve?

Fort Benton 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Fort Benton 7-8?

Fort Benton 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 55 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Benton 7-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Fort Benton 7-8 is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fort Benton 7-8 rank in MT?

Fort Benton 7-8 ranks #25 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Fort Benton 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort Benton 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 Fort Benton 7-8?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fort Benton 7-8 has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Fort Benton 7-8 a charter school?

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

Is Fort Benton 7-8 a Title I school?

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

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

40.0% of students at Fort Benton 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
65 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Chouteau County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
1.8%

District

Fort Benton Elem
District Enrollment
234
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,145
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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