Very Good
#153 of 603 schools in MT
Top 25% in state
Melstone High School
High School · Melstone H S
Box 97, Melstone, MT 59054
Enrollment
32
Student-Teacher
8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
32
Student-Teacher
8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Montana high schools
#38 of 141
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Melstone High School
Melstone High School serves 32 students in grades 9-12 in the small community of Melstone, Montana. With just 4 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8:1, allowing for highly personalized attention and close relationships between students and faculty. The school earns a solid 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #127 out of 605 Montana high schools, placing it in the 79th percentile statewide.
This strong performance reflects the benefits of small-school education, where individual students can receive focused support and engage actively in their learning. As a regular public school in Musselshell County, Melstone High School serves families in a tight-knit rural community where the median household income is $50,375 and median home values reach $177,500. The surrounding ZIP code has a population of just 236 residents, with 21% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 5.1%.
Students at Melstone High School experience the advantages of small-town education, including opportunities to participate across multiple activities and develop leadership skills in an intimate academic environment. The school sits in Montana's remote rural landscape, where students grow up connected to both their local community and the expansive Big Sky country that surrounds them.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 32 students, Melstone High School 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Melstone High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Melstone 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 metricsView breakdown
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Melstone High School — Students at Melstone High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 8.1/10.
How Melstone High School Compares
See how Melstone High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
Box 97, Melstone, MT 59054
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Melstone High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Winnett School (rated 9.3/10, 36.0 miles away, in nearby Winnett), which scores notably higher. Another option is Custer School (rated 8.0/10, 36.0 miles away, in nearby Custer), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Custer High School (rated 5.2/10, 36.0 miles away, in nearby Custer), a more accessible option. For more schools in Melstone, see our Melstone schools guide .
Nearby Schools
8 within 36.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Melstone School Melstone | 0.0 mi | — |
| Melstone Middle School Melstone | 0.0 mi | — |
| Custer School Custer | 36.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Custer High School Custer | 36.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Custer 7-8 Custer | 36.0 mi | — |
| Winnett School Winnett | 36.0 mi | 9.3 |
| Winnett High School Winnett | 36.0 mi | — |
| Winnett 7-8 Winnett | 36.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59054 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,708
Median Home Value
$184,400
Median Rent
$738/mo
Population
236
College Educated
17.6%
Homeownership
86.8%
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
54.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Melstone High School has a median household income of $52,708. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $184,400, with a median rent of $738/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hobson High School Hobson, MT | 7.3 |
| LUSTRE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Lustre, MT | 7.4 |
| Terry High School Terry, MT | 7.4 |
| Dodson High School Dodson, MT | 7.5 |
| Stanford High School Stanford, MT | 7.0 |
| Nashua High School Nashua, MT | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Melstone High School
What grades does Melstone High School serve?
Melstone High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Melstone High School?
Melstone High School has an enrollment of approximately 32 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Melstone High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Melstone High School is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Melstone High School rank in MT?
Melstone High School is ranked #153 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Melstone High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Melstone High School 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 Melstone High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Melstone High School has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Melstone High School a charter school?
No, Melstone High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Melstone High School a Title I school?
No, Melstone High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Melstone High School?
75.0% of students at Melstone 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 32
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Musselshell County
- Phone
- (406) 358-2352
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Melstone H S- District Enrollment
- 32
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,909
- 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.
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