Average
#350 of 603 schools in MT
Hardin Middle School
Middle School · Hardin Elem
401 Park Road, Hardin, MT 59034
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hardin
#4 of 5
public schools
Montana middle schools
#71 of 143
In district
#4 of 4
Hardin Elem
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Hardin Middle School
Hardin Middle School is a public middle school located in the rural community of Hardin, Montana. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 370 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, providing more individualized attention to each student. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, students benefit from the support and mentorship needed during these formative years.
Academically, Hardin Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks 27th percentile among Montana schools. The school's ELA proficiency rate is at 16%, while math proficiency is lower at 6%. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on improving academic performance, ensuring that students receive the necessary support to excel.
Hardin Middle School is situated in a remote rural setting, offering a tight-knit community atmosphere. The surrounding area provides a peaceful environment conducive to learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Hardin Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Hardin Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hardin Middle School — Students at Hardin Middle School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Hardin Middle School Compares
See how Hardin Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 9% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 15% (2019) to 16% (2022).
Location
401 Park Road, Hardin, MT 59034
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hardin Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. PRETTY EAGLE CTHLC SCHL (rated 8.3/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Saint Xavier), which scores notably higher. Another option is Custer School (rated 8.0/10, 27.3 miles away, in nearby Custer), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hardin Intermediate (rated 6.9/10), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hardin, see our Hardin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
13 within 33.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hardin High School Hardin | 0.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Hardin Intermediate Hardin | 0.0 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 | 19.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Custer School Custer | 27.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Custer High School Custer | 27.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Custer 7-8 Custer | 27.3 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Eureka Middle School 5-8 Eureka, MT | 5.9 |
| Sidney Middle School Sidney, MT | 6.1 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell, MT | 6.2 |
| Washington Middle School Glendive, MT | 5.8 |
| Corvallis 7-8 Corvallis, MT | 5.7 |
| Hamilton Middle School Hamilton, MT | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hardin Middle School
What grades does Hardin Middle School serve?
Hardin Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Hardin Middle School?
Hardin Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 370 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hardin Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hardin Middle School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hardin Middle School rank in MT?
Hardin Middle School is ranked #350 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Hardin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hardin Middle School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hardin Middle School has 6.0% math proficiency and 15.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hardin Middle School a charter school?
No, Hardin Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hardin Middle School a Title I school?
No, Hardin Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hardin Middle School?
100.0% of students at Hardin Middle 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (843/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hardin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 370
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Big Horn County
- Phone
- (406) 665-6300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hardin Elem- District Enrollment
- 1,252
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,138
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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.
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