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Average

#260 of 603 schools in MT

Top 43% in state

Poplar 5-6 School

Middle School · Poplar Elem

Box 458, Poplar, MT 59255

Enrollment

126

Student-Teacher

8.4:1

Score

6.7

Grades

5th – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Poplar

#2 of 4

public schools

Montana middle schools

#53 of 143

In district

#2 of 3

Poplar Elem

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Poplar 5-6 School

Poplar 5-6 School is a small middle school located in the rural community of Poplar, Montana. Serving students from fifth through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 126 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. Situated in a remote area, Poplar 5-6 School offers personalized attention to each student, which is a significant advantage given its small size.

While the school's MySchoolScout Rating stands at 3.9 out of 10 and its state ranking is #505 out of 605 schools in Montana, these scores reflect areas where there is room for improvement in academic performance. On standardized tests, only 10% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and just 4% reach proficiency in Math. The school focuses on nurturing student development, providing a supportive environment that encourages growth.

Poplar 5-6 School sits in a close-knit rural setting where the community is tightly connected, making it a place where every child feels known and valued.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 126 students, Poplar 5-6 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.

While current test scores at Poplar 5-6 School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1, Poplar 5-6 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics2.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-15.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,654

Poplar 5-6 School — Students at Poplar 5-6 School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 4.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Poplar 5-6 School Compares

See how Poplar 5-6 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in MT
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

Box 458, Poplar, MT 59255

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poplar 5-6 School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Poplar 7-8 (rated 6.2/10), with a comparable rating. Another option is Northside School (rated 6.0/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Wolf Point), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Wolf Point 7-8 (rated 5.7/10, 20.6 miles away, in nearby Wolf Point), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Poplar, see our Poplar schools guide .

Nearby Schools

16 within 33.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Poplar 7-8 Poplar 0.0 mi 6.2
Poplar School Poplar 0.0 mi 7.1
Poplar High School Poplar 0.0 mi 6.6
Barbara Gilligan School Brockton 13.6 mi 6.5
Barbara Gilligan 7-8 Brockton 13.6 mi
Brockton High School Brockton 13.6 mi 7.4
Frontier School Wolf Point 16.5 mi 7.2
Frontier 7-8 Wolf Point 16.5 mi
Vida School Circle 23.4 mi 3.4
Northside School Wolf Point 20.3 mi 6.0
Southside School Wolf Point 20.4 mi 7.3
Wolf Point 7-8 Wolf Point 20.6 mi 5.7
Wolf Point High School Wolf Point 20.6 mi 5.7
Richey School Richey 33.0 mi 4.8
Richey 7-8 Richey 33.0 mi
Richey High School Richey 33.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59255 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,089

Median Home Value

$79,900

Median Rent

$429/mo

Population

2,994

College Educated

16.9%

Homeownership

67.1%

Poverty Rate

38.4%

Median Age

25.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Poplar 5-6 School has a median household income of $41,089. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $79,900, with a median rent of $429/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Frank Brattin Middle Schl Colstrip, MT 6.7
Roosevelt Junior High Red Lodge, MT 6.8
Bigfork 7-8 Bigfork, MT 6.9
Ophir 7-8 Big Sky, MT 7.1
Poplar 7-8 Poplar, MT 6.2
Montana City Middle Schl Clancy, MT 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poplar 5-6 School

What grades does Poplar 5-6 School serve?

Poplar 5-6 School serves students in grades 5th through 6th.

How many students attend Poplar 5-6 School?

Poplar 5-6 School has an enrollment of approximately 126 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Poplar 5-6 School?

The student-teacher ratio at Poplar 5-6 School is 8.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Poplar 5-6 School rank in MT?

Poplar 5-6 School is ranked #260 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Poplar 5-6 School's MySchoolScout rating?

Poplar 5-6 School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Poplar 5-6 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Poplar 5-6 School has 4.2% math proficiency and 10.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Poplar 5-6 School a charter school?

No, Poplar 5-6 School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Poplar 5-6 School a Title I school?

No, Poplar 5-6 School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Poplar 5-6 School?

100.0% of students at Poplar 5-6 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
Average (628/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
126
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Roosevelt County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Poplar Elem
District Enrollment
583
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,549
District Rank
#2 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.

Read our full methodology

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