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Very Good

#127 of 603 schools in MT

Top 21% in state

Shelby 7-8

Middle School · Shelby Elem

1010 Oilfield Avenue, Shelby, MT 59474

Enrollment

69

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

7.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Shelby

#2 of 3

public schools

Montana middle schools

#22 of 143

In district

#2 of 2

Shelby Elem

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Shelby 7-8

Shelby 7-8 is a regular public middle school serving students in grades 7 through 8. Located at 1010 Oilfield Avenue in the rural town of Shelby, Montana, this small school has an enrollment of 69 students and five full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.2 out of 10, placing it at the 68th percentile among Montana schools with a state ranking of #192 out of 605.

Academically, Shelby 7-8 has an overall score of 5.1/10, indicating there's room for improvement. In ELA and reading, 44% of students are proficient or above, while only 20% meet proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to supporting its students' development in a rural setting where resources might be limited.

Shelby 7-8 sits in a remote area, offering students a close-knit community environment with a focus on personal growth and connection.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 69 students, Shelby 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, Shelby 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 Progress9.6Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.7Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment5.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,605

Shelby 7-8 — Students at Shelby 7-8 score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.7%
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
5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
42%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Shelby 7-8 Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
79th percentile in MT
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

1010 Oilfield Avenue, Shelby, MT 59474

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shelby 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Utterback 4-6 (rated 8.0/10, 24.1 miles away, in nearby Conrad), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Utterback 7-8 (rated 8.0/10, 24.1 miles away, in nearby Conrad), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cut Bank Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 22.8 miles away, in nearby Cut Bank), a more accessible option. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Shelby High School Shelby 0.0 mi 4.2
Shelby Elementary School Shelby 0.0 mi 8.0
Big Rose Colony School Shelby 6.7 mi
Cam Rose School Shelby 18.2 mi
Utterback 4-6 Conrad 24.1 mi 8.0
Utterback 7-8 Conrad 24.1 mi 8.0
Meadowlark School Conrad 24.1 mi 5.0
Conrad High School Conrad 24.1 mi 7.2
Sunburst High School Sunburst 25.3 mi 7.1
Sunburst 7 - 8 Sunburst 25.3 mi
Sunburst Elementary Sunburst 25.5 mi 8.6
Horizon Elementary Cut Bank 21.6 mi
Valier School Valier 23.1 mi 7.2
Valier 7-8 Valier 23.1 mi
Valier High School Valier 23.2 mi 6.5
Midway Colony Dutton 31.5 mi
Glacier Elementary School Cut Bank 27.3 mi
Cut Bank Middle School Cut Bank 22.8 mi 5.2
Cut Bank High School Cut Bank 22.8 mi 5.1
H C Davis Elementary Cut Bank 22.9 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59474 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,004

Median Home Value

$203,600

Median Rent

$770/mo

Population

3,391

College Educated

22.1%

Homeownership

66.8%

Poverty Rate

10.8%

Median Age

44.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shelby 7-8 has a median household income of $54,004. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,600, with a median rent of $770/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell, MT 7.5
Sun River Middle School Simms, MT 7.5
HEADWATERS ACADEMY Bozeman, MT 7.4
Troy 7-8 Troy, MT 7.4
Anderson 7-8 Bozeman, MT 7.7
Belt 7-8 Belt, MT 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shelby 7-8

What grades does Shelby 7-8 serve?

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

How many students attend Shelby 7-8?

Shelby 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 69 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Shelby 7-8 is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shelby 7-8 rank in MT?

Shelby 7-8 is ranked #127 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Shelby 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Shelby 7-8 has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Shelby 7-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shelby 7-8 has 20.5% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Shelby 7-8 a charter school?

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

Is Shelby 7-8 a Title I school?

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

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

71.0% of students at Shelby 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,114/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Toole County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Shelby Elem
District Enrollment
403
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,115
District Rank
#2 of 2

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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