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
Enrollment
111
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Fort Benton High School — Students at Fort Benton High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.1%
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: 2.1/10.
How Fort Benton High School Compares
See how Fort Benton High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 30% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (406) 622-3213
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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