Excellent
#61 of 603 schools in MT
Top 10% in state
Plains 7-8
Middle School · Plains K-12
Box 549, Plains, MT 59859
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
8.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
8.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#61 of 603
In Plains
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Plains K-12
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Plains 7-8?
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Plains 7-8
Middle School in Plains · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Plains Elementary School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Plains High School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Plains 7-8
Plains 7-8 is a public middle school in Plains, MT, part of Plains K-12. Plains 7-8 serves approximately 59 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Plains 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #61 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Plains 7-8 show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- MT avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
At 59 students, Plains 7-8 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Plains 7-8 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
31% of students at Plains 7-8 were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Plains 7-8 — Students at Plains 7-8 score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 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: 9.9/10.
How Plains 7-8 Compares
See how Plains 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
Box 549, Plains, MT 59859
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Plains 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. St Regis 7-8 (rated 7.2/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby St. Regis), a more accessible option. Another option is Thompson Falls 7-8 (rated 6.8/10, 23.2 miles away, in nearby Thompson Falls), a more accessible option. Additionally, Superior 7-8 (rated 5.7/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Superior), a more accessible option. For more schools in Plains, see our Plains schools guide .
Nearby Schools
18 within 37.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Plains Elementary School Plains | 0.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Plains High School Plains | 0.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Hot Springs School Hot Springs | 14.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Hot Springs High School Hot Springs | 14.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Hot Springs 7-8 Hot Springs | 14.3 mi | — |
| St Regis School St. Regis | 15.2 mi | 6.8 |
| St Regis High School St. Regis | 15.2 mi | 5.9 |
| St Regis 7-8 St. Regis | 15.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Superior High School Superior | 19.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Superior 7-8 Superior | 19.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Superior Elementary Superior | 19.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Thompson Falls High Schl Thompson Falls | 22.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Thompson Falls 7-8 Thompson Falls | 23.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Thompson Falls Elem Schl Thompson Falls | 23.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Alberton Elementary Alberton | 37.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Alberton High School Alberton | 37.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Alberton Middle School Alberton | 37.1 mi | 4.4 |
| NORTH WEST INDIAN BIBLE SCHOOL Alberton | 37.8 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59859 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,667
Median Home Value
$403,800
Median Rent
$792/mo
Population
4,204
College Educated
20.8%
Homeownership
74.3%
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
55.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DE LA SALLE BLACKFEET SCHOOL Browning, MT | 8.4 |
| Ennis 7-8 Ennis, MT | 8.4 |
| Boulder 7-8 Boulder, MT | 8.1 |
| Chester-Joplin-Inverness 7-8 Chester, MT | 8.8 |
| Clinton 7-8 Clinton, MT | 8.0 |
| Troy 7-8 Troy, MT | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Plains 7-8
What grades does Plains 7-8 serve?
Plains 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Plains 7-8?
Plains 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 59 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Plains 7-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Plains 7-8 is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Plains 7-8 rank in MT?
Plains 7-8 ranks #61 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Plains 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Plains 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Plains 7-8?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Plains 7-8 has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022).
Is Plains 7-8 a charter school?
No, Plains 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Plains 7-8 a Title I school?
No, Plains 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Plains 7-8?
55.9% of students at Plains 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 59
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Sanders County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.5%
- Phone
- (406) 826-8600
Resources & Links
District
Plains K-12- District Enrollment
- 427
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,159
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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