Below Average
#522 of 603 schools in MT
Lame Deer 7-8
Middle School · Lame Deer Elem
Box 96, Lame Deer, MT 59043
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lame Deer
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana middle schools
#118 of 143
In district
#2 of 2
Lame Deer Elem
About Lame Deer 7-8
Lame Deer 7-8 is a middle school located in the remote rural area of Lame Deer, Montana. The school serves students from seventh through eighth grade with an enrollment of 90 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 18:1, supported by five full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size and challenging environment, Lame Deer 7-8 is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for its students.
Academically, the school currently has room for improvement. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, it scores a 2.6 out of 10 overall, placing it in the 1st percentile among Montana schools. Specifically, only 6% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and just 2% meet proficiency standards in math.
While these numbers highlight areas for growth, they also underscore the school's commitment to student development. Lame Deer is situated in a rural setting with limited access to resources found in more urban environments. Despite this, the community comes together to support its young learners.
Whether through after-school programs or local partnerships, Lame Deer 7-8 strives to create an enriching educational experience for every student.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 90 students, Lame Deer 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 Lame Deer 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, Lame Deer 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
Lame Deer 7-8 — Students at Lame Deer 7-8 score 2% 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
↓ 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: 6.4/10.
How Lame Deer 7-8 Compares
See how Lame Deer 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
Box 96, Lame Deer, MT 59043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lame Deer 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST LABRE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Ashland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ashland School (rated 6.8/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Ashland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Frank Brattin Middle Schl (rated 6.7/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Colstrip), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lame Deer, see our Lame Deer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
12 within 34.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lame Deer High School Lame Deer | 0.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Lame Deer School Lame Deer | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Frank Brattin Middle Schl Colstrip | 20.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Birney School Birney | 19.8 mi | — |
| Northern Cheyenne Tribal School Busby | 15.0 mi | — |
| Pine Butte Elementary Sch Colstrip | 22.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Colstrip High School Colstrip | 22.4 mi | 5.8 |
| ST LABRE HIGH SCHOOL Ashland | 18.1 mi | 7.1 |
| COTTONWOOD SCHOOL Forsyth | 19.4 mi | — |
| Ashland School Ashland | 18.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Ashland 7-8 Ashland | 18.6 mi | — |
| Spring Creek School Decker | 34.2 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$31,958
Median Home Value
$114,500
Median Rent
$500/mo
Population
2,771
College Educated
9.7%
Homeownership
55.3%
Poverty Rate
47.6%
Median Age
21.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lame Deer 7-8 has a median household income of $31,958. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $114,500, with a median rent of $500/month. The area has a poverty rate of 47.6%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Box Elder 7-8 Box Elder, MT | 4.7 |
| Lodge Grass 7-8 Lodge Grass, MT | 4.7 |
| Lone Rock Middle School Stevensville, MT | 4.8 |
| E F Duvall 7-8 Deer Lodge, MT | 4.6 |
| KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell, MT | 4.6 |
| Swan River 6-8 Bigfork, MT | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lame Deer 7-8
What grades does Lame Deer 7-8 serve?
Lame Deer 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Lame Deer 7-8?
Lame Deer 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 90 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lame Deer 7-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Lame Deer 7-8 is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lame Deer 7-8 rank in MT?
Lame Deer 7-8 is ranked #522 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Lame Deer 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Lame Deer 7-8 has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Lame Deer 7-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lame Deer 7-8 has 2.5% math proficiency and 5.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lame Deer 7-8 a charter school?
No, Lame Deer 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lame Deer 7-8 a Title I school?
No, Lame Deer 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lame Deer 7-8?
100.0% of students at Lame Deer 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
- County Safety
- Low (121/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 90
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Rosebud County
- Phone
- (406) 477-8900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lame Deer Elem- District Enrollment
- 399
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,335
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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