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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,663

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%).

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 8.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
76th percentile in MT
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

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.

9 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (172/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls
District Enrollment
266
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,782
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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