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Below Average

#553 of 603 schools in MT

Fort Benton High School

High School · Fort Benton H S

PO Box 399, Fort Benton, MT 59442

Enrollment

111

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

4.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Benton

#3 of 3

public schools

Montana high schools

#128 of 141

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Fort Benton High School

Fort Benton High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Fort Benton, Montana. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 111 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of about 16 to 1, with seven full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size, Fort Benton High School focuses on providing individualized attention and support for each student.

The academic performance at Fort Benton High School shows room for improvement, as indicated by the MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of 550th out of 605 schools in Montana (9th percentile). In terms of proficiency rates, 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 30% achieve the same level in Math. The school is working to enhance its academic offerings and support systems to better meet the needs of its students.

Fort Benton High School serves a close-knit community in a rural setting, where residents likely know each other well and place high value on local traditions and connections.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 111 students, Fort Benton High School 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, Fort Benton High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-20.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,446

Fort Benton High School — Students at Fort Benton High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.7%
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
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
69.5%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Fort Benton High School Compares

See how Fort Benton High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
9th percentile in MT
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

PO Box 399, Fort Benton, MT 59442

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fort Benton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Highwood High School (rated 8.9/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Highwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Centerville High School (rated 8.0/10, 37.3 miles away, in nearby Sand Coulee), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Belt High School (rated 7.4/10, 32.3 miles away, in nearby Belt), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Benton, see our Fort Benton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

17 within 37.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Fort Benton 7-8 Fort Benton 0.0 mi 7.8
Fort Benton School Fort Benton 0.3 mi 6.2
Highwood School Highwood 17.6 mi 7.0
Highwood High School Highwood 17.6 mi 8.9
Highwood Middle School Highwood 17.6 mi
Carter School Carter 13.8 mi
Geraldine Elementary Geraldine 23.9 mi 7.9
Geraldine High School Geraldine 23.9 mi
Geraldine Middle School Geraldine 23.9 mi
Belt School Belt 32.3 mi 4.9
Pleasant Valley School Belt 32.3 mi
Belt 7-8 Belt 32.3 mi 7.3
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 3.8
Centerville 6-8 Sand Coulee 37.3 mi 4.9
Centerville High School Sand Coulee 37.3 mi 8.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fort Benton High School has a median household income of $68,024. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $209,600, with a median rent of $690/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Whitehall High School Whitehall, MT 4.3
Baker High School Baker, MT 4.2
Shelby High School Shelby, MT 4.2
Malta High School Malta, MT 4.0
Culbertson High School Culbertson, MT 4.9
Scobey High School Scobey, MT 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fort Benton High School

What grades does Fort Benton High School serve?

Fort Benton High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Fort Benton High School?

Fort Benton High School has an enrollment of approximately 111 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Benton High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fort Benton High School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fort Benton High School rank in MT?

Fort Benton High School is ranked #553 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Fort Benton High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort Benton High School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Fort Benton High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort Benton High School has 29.8% math proficiency and 49.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fort Benton High School a charter school?

No, Fort Benton High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fort Benton High School a Title I school?

No, Fort Benton High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort Benton High School?

44.1% of students at Fort Benton High School 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

County Safety
Average (476/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
111
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Chouteau County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fort Benton H S
District Enrollment
111
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,131
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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