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Below Average

#561 of 603 schools in MT

Shelby High School

High School · Shelby H S

1010 Oilfield Avenue, Shelby, MT 59474

Enrollment

129

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Shelby

#3 of 3

public schools

Montana high schools

#132 of 141

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Shelby High School

Shelby High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Shelby, Montana. With an enrollment of 129 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, the school provides personalized attention to each student. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 13 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to supporting their students’ academic and personal growth.

Shelby High School is part of Toole County and serves grades nine through twelve. While its MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.7 out of 10, the school remains focused on fostering a nurturing environment for student development. With state rankings placing it as the 537th out of 605 schools in Montana (11th percentile), Shelby High School is looking to improve its academic performance with an average ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 32% and Math proficiency at 22%.

The school’s setting offers a tight-knit community atmosphere, where students can form strong bonds with their peers and teachers. Living in the rural area around Shelby provides unique experiences that complement the educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 129 students, Shelby High 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Shelby High 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.

Located in a rural area, Shelby High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-9.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-25.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,964

Shelby High School — Students at Shelby High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Shelby High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in MT
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

1010 Oilfield Avenue, Shelby, MT 59474

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shelby High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Conrad High School (rated 7.2/10, 24.1 miles away, in nearby Conrad), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sunburst High School (rated 7.1/10, 25.3 miles away, in nearby Sunburst), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Valier High School (rated 6.5/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby Valier), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Shelby 7-8 Shelby 0.0 mi 7.5
Shelby Elementary School Shelby 0.1 mi 8.0
Big Rose Colony School Shelby 6.7 mi
Cam Rose School Shelby 18.2 mi
Utterback 4-6 Conrad 24.0 mi 8.0
Utterback 7-8 Conrad 24.0 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 23.0 mi 7.2
Valier 7-8 Valier 23.0 mi
Valier High School Valier 23.1 mi 6.5
Midway Colony Dutton 31.5 mi
Glacier Elementary School Cut Bank 27.2 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 High School 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
Baker High School Baker, MT 4.2
Fort Benton High School Fort Benton, MT 4.3
Whitehall High School Whitehall, MT 4.3
Malta High School Malta, MT 4.0
Culbertson High School Culbertson, MT 4.9
Superior High School Superior, MT 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shelby High School

What grades does Shelby High School serve?

Shelby High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Shelby High School?

Shelby High School has an enrollment of approximately 129 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shelby High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Shelby High School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shelby High School rank in MT?

Shelby High School is ranked #561 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Shelby High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shelby High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shelby High School has 21.5% math proficiency and 31.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Shelby High School a charter school?

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

Is Shelby High School a Title I school?

No, Shelby High School is not currently a Title I school.

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

61.2% of students at Shelby High 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
Elevated (1,114/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
129
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Toole County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Shelby H S
District Enrollment
129
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,708
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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