Average
#446 of 603 schools in MT
Plains High School
High School · Plains K-12
Box 549, Plains, MT 59859
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plains
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana high schools
#104 of 141
In district
#3 of 3
Plains K-12
About Plains High School
Plains High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural setting of Plains, Montana. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 133 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of about 13 to 1 with ten full-time equivalent teachers. While the academic performance scores indicate room for improvement, with only 30% proficiency in ELA/reading and 18% in math, Plains High School is focusing on supporting its students' development in this remote setting.
The school's MySchoolScout Rating of 3.3 out of 10 places it at the 6th percentile among Montana schools. Plains High School is deeply embedded within a close-knit rural community where everyone knows each other, fostering a strong sense of belonging and support for its students.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 133 students, Plains 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.
Located in a rural area, Plains 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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Plains High School — Students at Plains High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.6%
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: 4.8/10.
How Plains High School Compares
See how Plains High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
Box 549, Plains, MT 59859
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Plains High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alberton High School (rated 8.7/10, 37.1 miles away, in nearby Alberton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thompson Falls High Schl (rated 7.5/10, 22.3 miles away, in nearby Thompson Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hot Springs High School (rated 7.3/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Hot Springs), which scores notably higher. 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 7-8 Plains | 0.0 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 High School 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairfield High School Fairfield, MT | 5.4 |
| St Ignatius High School St. Ignatius, MT | 5.6 |
| Arlee High School Arlee, MT | 5.7 |
| Fairview High School Fairview, MT | 5.7 |
| Harlem High School Harlem, MT | 5.7 |
| Park City High School Park City, MT | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Plains High School
What grades does Plains High School serve?
Plains High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Plains High School?
Plains High School has an enrollment of approximately 133 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Plains High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Plains High School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Plains High School rank in MT?
Plains High School is ranked #446 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Plains High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Plains 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 Plains High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plains High School has 18.3% math proficiency and 30.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Plains High School a charter school?
No, Plains High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Plains High School a Title I school?
No, Plains High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Plains High School?
46.6% of students at Plains 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
- City Safety
- Average (397/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Plains). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 133
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.6%
- 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
- #3 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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