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#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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.2Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-17.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,812

North Star High School — Students at North Star High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
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: 1.2/10.

How North Star High School Compares

See how North Star High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
30th percentile in MT
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
1.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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