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
Enrollment
126
Student-Teacher
8.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
5th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Poplar 5-6 School — Students at Poplar 5-6 School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Poplar 5-6 School Compares
See how Poplar 5-6 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 12% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (406) 768-6730
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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