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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,000

Melstone High School — Students at Melstone High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
75th percentile in MT
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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.

9 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (770/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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