Very Good
#149 of 603 schools in MT
Top 25% in state
Hays-lodge Pole 7-8
Middle School · Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls
PO Box 110, Hays, MT 59527
Enrollment
32
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
32
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hays
#1 of 3
public schools
Montana middle schools
#28 of 143
In district
#1 of 3
Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Hays-lodge Pole 7-8
Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 is a small middle school located in the remote rural area of Hays, Montana. With an enrollment of just 32 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.7:1, it offers personalized attention for its young learners. The school has three full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing support and guidance through grades seven and eight.
While the academic performance metrics show room for improvement—scoring an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 18% and a Math proficiency rate of just 8%—the close-knit community fosters a supportive environment where students can grow both academically and socially. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 reflects areas for development, yet the small class sizes provide an intimate setting that encourages individualized learning. Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 is situated in a remote rural area where the community bonds closely together, creating a nurturing space for middle schoolers to thrive and develop as individuals within their unique setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 32 students, Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 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.
While current test scores at Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 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, Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 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
Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 — Students at Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 score 20% 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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 Compares
See how Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 24.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 110, Hays, MT 59527
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Dodson School (rated 8.0/10, 34.2 miles away, in nearby Dodson), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Dodson High School (rated 7.5/10, 34.2 miles away, in nearby Dodson), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hays-Lodge Pole High Sch (rated 6.8/10), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hays, see our Hays schools guide .
Nearby Schools
8 within 34.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lodge Pole School Hays | 0.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Hays-Lodge Pole High Sch Hays | 0.0 mi | 6.8 |
| ST PAUL MISSION GRADE SCHOOL Hays | 1.6 mi | — |
| WHITE CLAY IMMERSION SCHOOL Harlem | 33.8 mi | — |
| Cleveland School Chinook | 28.5 mi | — |
| Dodson School Dodson | 34.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Dodson High School Dodson | 34.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Dodson 7-8 Dodson | 34.2 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59527 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,000
Median Home Value
$64,300
Median Rent
$550/mo
Population
1,114
College Educated
14.6%
Homeownership
54.9%
Poverty Rate
29.4%
Median Age
33.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 has a median household income of $58,000. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $64,300, with a median rent of $550/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Redwater 7-8 Circle, MT | 7.7 |
| Redwater School Circle, MT | 7.7 |
| Bridger 7-8 Bridger, MT | 6.8 |
| Seeley Lake 7-8 Seeley Lake, MT | 7.8 |
| Shields Valley 7-8 Clyde Park, MT | 6.8 |
| Forsyth 7-8 Forsyth, MT | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hays-lodge Pole 7-8
What grades does Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 serve?
Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Hays-lodge Pole 7-8?
Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 32 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hays-lodge Pole 7-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 rank in MT?
Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 is ranked #149 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Hays-lodge Pole 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Hays-lodge Pole 7-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 has 8.3% math proficiency and 18.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 a charter school?
No, Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 a Title I school?
No, Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hays-lodge Pole 7-8?
100.0% of students at Hays-lodge Pole 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 32
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Blaine County
- Phone
- (406) 673-3120
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls- District Enrollment
- 266
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,782
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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