Average
#426 of 603 schools in MT
North Star High School
High School · North Star HS
Box 129, Rudyard, MT 59540
Enrollment
57
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
57
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rudyard
#2 of 2
public schools
Montana high schools
#96 of 141
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About North Star High School
North Star High School is a small public high school located in the remote rural area of Rudyard, Montana. With an enrollment of just 57 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, North Star offers personalized attention that larger schools often can't match. The dedicated faculty team consists of six full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with each student to ensure they receive the support they need.
North Star High School’s academic performance shows room for improvement, ranking in the bottom quarter among Montana high schools. About 42% of students are proficient or above in both ELA and math, indicating areas where additional focus could help students thrive academically. The school is committed to student development and providing a nurturing environment that encourages growth and learning.
North Star High School sits in a quiet rural setting, offering a peaceful atmosphere for education and community activities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 57 students, North Star 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 9.5:1, North Star 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, North Star 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
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North Star High School — Students at North Star High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.9%
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: 1.2/10.
How North Star High School Compares
See how North Star High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
Box 129, Rudyard, MT 59540
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Star High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Chester-Joplin-Inverness HS (rated 7.3/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Chester), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Big Sandy High School (rated 4.3/10, 33.2 miles away, in nearby Big Sandy), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rudyard, see our Rudyard schools guide .
Nearby Schools
10 within 33.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Star 7-8 Rudyard | 0.0 mi | — |
| North Star School Rudyard | 11.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Gildford Colony School Gildford | 20.5 mi | — |
| Chester-Joplin-Inverness Schl Chester | 19.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Chester-Joplin-Inverness 7-8 Chester | 19.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Chester-Joplin-Inverness HS Chester | 19.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Sage Creek Elementary Chester | 31.8 mi | — |
| Big Sandy High School Big Sandy | 33.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Big Sandy 7-8 Big Sandy | 33.2 mi | — |
| F E Miley School Big Sandy | 33.6 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,319
Median Home Value
$100,000
Median Rent
$645/mo
Population
470
College Educated
30.9%
Homeownership
48%
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Median Age
34.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Star High School has a median household income of $71,319. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,000, with a median rent of $645/month. The local poverty rate of 2.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| Carter County High School Ekalaka, MT | 5.4 |
| Lambert High School Lambert, MT | 5.4 |
| Winifred High School Winifred, MT | 5.4 |
| Garfield Co Dist HS Jordan, MT | 5.7 |
| Lincoln High School Lincoln, MT | 5.7 |
| Scobey High School Scobey, MT | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Star High School
What grades does North Star High School serve?
North Star High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend North Star High School?
North Star High School has an enrollment of approximately 57 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Star High School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Star High School is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Star High School rank in MT?
North Star High School is ranked #426 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is North Star High School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Star High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 North Star High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Star High School has 41.7% math proficiency and 41.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Star High School a charter school?
No, North Star High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Star High School a Title I school?
No, North Star High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Star High School?
50.9% of students at North Star 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (996/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 57
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hill County
- Phone
- (406) 355-4481
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Star HS- District Enrollment
- 57
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,396
- 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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