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Very Good

#107 of 603 schools in MT

Top 18% in state

Redwater 7-8

Middle School · Circle Elem

Box 99, Circle, MT 59215

Enrollment

34

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

7.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Circle

#3 of 5

public schools

Montana middle schools

#15 of 143

In district

#3 of 3

Circle Elem

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Redwater 7-8

Redwater 7-8 is a small, rural middle school located in Circle, Montana. Serving seventh and eighth graders, the school has an enrollment of just 34 students, creating a close-knit community where every student receives individual attention. The student-teacher ratio stands at 17:1 with two full-time equivalent teachers on staff.

Academically, Redwater 7-8 scores in the 74th percentile among Montana schools, ranking 157th out of 605. In English Language Arts and Reading, 48% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 41% reach proficiency levels. These statistics indicate areas for growth but also highlight the school's commitment to student development.

Set in a remote rural area, Redwater 7-8 is immersed in a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. The surrounding landscape offers natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor activities, enhancing students' overall educational experience.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 34 students, Redwater 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, Redwater 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 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.5Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
Resources & Environment3.5Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,392

Redwater 7-8 — Students at Redwater 7-8 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.8%
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
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Redwater 7-8 Compares

See how Redwater 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
82th percentile in MT
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

Box 99, Circle, MT 59215

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Redwater 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bo Peep School (rated 8.5/10), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Redwater School (rated 7.7/10), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Circle High School (rated 6.5/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Circle, see our Circle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

5 within 24.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Bo Peep School Circle 0.0 mi 8.5
Redwater School Circle 0.0 mi 7.7
Circle High School Circle 0.0 mi 6.5
Vida School Circle 29.2 mi 3.4
Lindsay School Lindsay 24.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,808

Median Home Value

$197,500

Median Rent

$545/mo

Population

1,025

College Educated

25.5%

Homeownership

78.8%

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

49.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Redwater 7-8 has a median household income of $84,808. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $197,500, with a median rent of $545/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Redwater School Circle, MT 7.7
Seeley Lake 7-8 Seeley Lake, MT 7.8
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell, MT 7.5
Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell, MT 8.1
Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 Hays, MT 7.3
Absarokee 6-8 Absarokee, MT 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Redwater 7-8

What grades does Redwater 7-8 serve?

Redwater 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Redwater 7-8?

Redwater 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 34 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Redwater 7-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Redwater 7-8 is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Redwater 7-8 rank in MT?

Redwater 7-8 is ranked #107 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Redwater 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Redwater 7-8 has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Redwater 7-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Redwater 7-8 has 41.2% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Redwater 7-8 a charter school?

No, Redwater 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Redwater 7-8 a Title I school?

No, Redwater 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Redwater 7-8?

50.0% of students at Redwater 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.

6 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
34
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
McCone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Circle Elem
District Enrollment
127
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,622
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.

Read our full methodology

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