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Needs Improvement

#593 of 603 schools in MT

Hardin High School

High School · Hardin H S

401 Park Road, Hardin, MT 59034

Enrollment

540

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

3.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hardin

#5 of 5

public schools

Montana high schools

#138 of 141

About Hardin High School

Hardin High School is a regular public high school serving students from ninth to twelfth grade in the rural community of Hardin, Montana. With an enrollment of 540 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1, the school provides personalized attention within its remote setting. The dedicated staff includes 32 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students.

The academic performance at Hardin High School is currently in need of improvement, as reflected by a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of 584 out of 605 schools in Montana, placing it in the fourth percentile. Only 11% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while math proficiency stands at just 7%. Despite these challenges, the school community is committed to fostering student development and growth.

Hardin High School is situated in a remote rural area, offering its students a close-knit environment that values personal connections and community support.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Hardin 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 Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5%
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-17.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,741

Hardin High School — Students at Hardin High School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.7%
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
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Hardin High School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
2th percentile in MT
Academic
2.1/10
2.1/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

401 Park Road, Hardin, MT 59034

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hardin High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lodge Grass High School (rated 6.4/10, 31.2 miles away, in nearby Lodge Grass), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Custer High School (rated 5.2/10, 27.2 miles away, in nearby Custer), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hardin, see our Hardin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

13 within 33.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Hardin Middle School Hardin 0.0 mi 6.0
Hardin Intermediate Hardin 0.1 mi 6.9
Hardin Primary Hardin 0.3 mi 6.9
BIG HORN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hardin 0.8 mi
Crow Agency School Hardin 11.7 mi 6.6
PRETTY EAGLE CTHLC SCHL Saint Xavier 19.6 mi 8.3
Custer School Custer 27.2 mi 8.0
Custer High School Custer 27.2 mi 5.2
Custer 7-8 Custer 27.2 mi
Lodge Grass School Lodge Grass 31.2 mi 6.3
Lodge Grass 7-8 Lodge Grass 31.2 mi 4.7
Lodge Grass High School Lodge Grass 31.2 mi 6.4
Fort Smith School Hardin 33.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59034 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,559

Median Home Value

$178,200

Median Rent

$723/mo

Population

4,972

College Educated

28.3%

Homeownership

61.6%

Poverty Rate

18.3%

Median Age

34.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hardin High School has a median household income of $59,559. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,200, with a median rent of $723/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Lockwood High School Lockwood, MT 3.6
East Helena High School East Helena, MT 3.1
Havre High School Havre, MT 3.9
Ronan High School Ronan, MT 4.2
Stevensville High School Stevensville, MT 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hardin High School

What grades does Hardin High School serve?

Hardin High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hardin High School?

Hardin High School has an enrollment of approximately 540 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hardin High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hardin High School is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hardin High School rank in MT?

Hardin High School is ranked #593 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Hardin High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hardin High School has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Hardin High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hardin High School has 7.3% math proficiency and 10.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hardin High School a charter school?

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

Is Hardin High School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Hardin 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

City Safety
Elevated (843/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hardin). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
540
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Big Horn County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hardin H S
District Enrollment
540
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,494
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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