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
Enrollment
129
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Shelby High School — Students at Shelby High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.2%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.0/10.
How Shelby High School Compares
See how Shelby High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 10% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (406) 424-8910
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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