Excellent

#33 of 603 schools in MT

Top 5% in state

Redwater School

Middle School · Circle Elem

Box 99, Circle, MT 59215

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

8.8

Grades

4th – 6th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

8.8

Grades

4th – 6th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#33 of 603

In Circle

#2 of 5

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Circle Elem

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Middle School in Circle · grades 4th – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Redwater School

Redwater School is a public middle school in Circle, MT, part of Circle Elem. Redwater School serves approximately 34 students, and covers grades 4th-6th, and has a 8.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Redwater School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #33 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Redwater School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts above district

8.8

This school 8.8 · Excellent
District avg 8.0
MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 34 students, Redwater School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 8.5:1 students to teachers, Redwater School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Redwater School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress8.5Excellent40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-2.47 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics9.1Excellent35%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+17.0 pts

Adjusted Percentile86th

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent25%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio8.5:1

Per-Pupil Spending$14,622

Chronic Absenteeism14.7%

Redwater School — Students at Redwater School score 54% 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

55.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 68.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 69.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009

Math

74.5%

ELA

95%

2010

Math

74.5%

ELA

84.5%

2011

Math

84.5%

ELA

84.5%

2012

Math

95%

ELA

84.5%

2014

Math

74.5%

ELA

54.5%

2015

Math

74.5%

ELA

64.5%

2016

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

2017

Math

64.5%

ELA

64.5%

2018

Math

54.5%

ELA

64.5%

2019

Math

54.5%

ELA

64.5%

2020*

Math

64.5%

ELA

64.5%

2021*

Math

64.5%

ELA

64.5%

2022

Math

54.5%

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: 8.5/10.

How Redwater School Compares

See how Redwater School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

8.8/10

95th percentile in MT

Academic

9.1/10

Excellent

Growth

8.5/10

Excellent

Environment

8.9/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

56%

Teaching Staff

9:1 student-teacher ratio

4 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

14.7%

Location

Box 99, Circle, MT 59215

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Redwater School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bo Peep School (rated 9.6/10), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Redwater 7-8 (rated 7.1/10), a more accessible option. Additionally, Circle High School (rated 6.1/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Circle, see our Circle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

5 within 24.5 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Bo Peep School Circle	0.0 mi	59	9.6
Redwater 7-8 Circle	0.0 mi	34	7.1
Circle High School Circle	0.0 mi	64	6.1
Vida School Circle	29.2 mi	45	5.7
Lindsay School Lindsay	24.5 mi	9	—

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

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Chester-Joplin-Inverness 7-8 Chester, MT	37	8.8
Bridger 7-8 Bridger, MT	30	8.4
Shields Valley 7-8 Clyde Park, MT	30	8.4
Clinton 7-8 Clinton, MT	37	8.0
Marion 7-8 Marion, MT	37	7.9
Fairfield 7-8 Fairfield, MT	40	7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Redwater School

What grades does Redwater School serve?

Redwater School serves students in grades 4th through 6th.

How many students attend Redwater School?

Redwater School has an enrollment of approximately 34 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Redwater School?

The student-teacher ratio at Redwater School is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Redwater School rank in MT?

Redwater School ranks #33 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Redwater School's MySchoolScout rating?

Redwater School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Redwater School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Redwater School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Redwater School a charter school?

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

Is Redwater School a Title I school?

No, Redwater School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Redwater School?

55.9% of students at Redwater 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.