Very Good
#156 of 603 schools in MT
Top 26% in state
Plains 7-8
Middle School · Plains K-12
Box 549, Plains, MT 59859
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plains
#1 of 3
public schools
Montana middle schools
#30 of 143
In district
#1 of 3
Plains K-12
Academic performance
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Plains 7-8
Plains 7-8 is a middle school located in the remote rural area of Plains, Montana. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 59 students and four full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.9 out of 10, placing it at number 229 among Montana’s 605 schools, which is around the 62nd percentile statewide.
Academically, Plains 7-8 scores a 7.3 out of 10 with 49% of students proficient or above in ELA/reading and 40% proficient or above in math. Plains 7-8 focuses on providing a supportive educational environment tailored to the needs of its rural community. The school continues to work towards enhancing academic performance while fostering a nurturing atmosphere for student growth and development.
Located in a remote area, Plains 7-8 is deeply embedded within the local community, offering students a close-knit and engaging learning experience.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 59 students, Plains 7-8 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.
Located in a rural area, Plains 7-8 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 · 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: 37%).
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 6 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: 7.6/10.
How Plains 7-8 Compares
See how Plains 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
Box 549, Plains, MT 59859
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Plains 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Thompson Falls 7-8 (rated 6.6/10, 23.2 miles away, in nearby Thompson Falls), with a comparable rating. Another option is St Regis 7-8 (rated 6.4/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby St. Regis), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Superior 7-8 (rated 4.5/10, 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 | 7.0 |
| Plains High School Plains | 0.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Hot Springs School Hot Springs | 14.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Hot Springs High School Hot Springs | 14.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Hot Springs 7-8 Hot Springs | 14.3 mi | — |
| St Regis School St. Regis | 15.2 mi | 8.1 |
| St Regis High School St. Regis | 15.2 mi | 3.8 |
| St Regis 7-8 St. Regis | 15.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Superior High School Superior | 19.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Superior 7-8 Superior | 19.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Superior Elementary Superior | 19.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Thompson Falls High Schl Thompson Falls | 22.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Thompson Falls 7-8 Thompson Falls | 23.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Thompson Falls Elem Schl Thompson Falls | 23.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Alberton Elementary Alberton | 37.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Alberton High School Alberton | 37.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Alberton Middle School Alberton | 37.1 mi | 4.3 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Plains 7-8 has a median household income of $61,667. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $403,800, with a median rent of $792/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Belt 7-8 Belt, MT | 7.3 |
| Culbertson Junior High Culbertson, MT | 7.2 |
| Troy 7-8 Troy, MT | 7.4 |
| Absarokee 6-8 Absarokee, MT | 7.1 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell, MT | 7.5 |
| Darby 7-8 Darby, MT | 7.1 |
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 is ranked #156 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Plains 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Plains 7-8 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 Plains 7-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plains 7-8 has 40.3% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Plains). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 826-8600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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