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Below Average

#499 of 603 schools in MT

Shepherd Middle School

Middle School · Shepherd Elem

Box 8, Shepherd, MT 59079

Enrollment

200

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

4.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#499 of 603

In Shepherd

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Shepherd Elem

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Shepherd Middle School

4.7/10

Middle School in Shepherd · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Shepherd Elementary

6.8/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Shepherd High School

4.9/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Shepherd Middle School

Shepherd Middle School is a public middle school in Shepherd, MT, part of Shepherd Elem. Shepherd Middle School serves approximately 200 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Shepherd Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #499 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Shepherd Middle School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below MT schools
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Shepherd Middle 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 Progress3.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,165
Chronic Absenteeism18.5%

Shepherd Middle School — Students at Shepherd Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.0% (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
72%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Shepherd Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in MT
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.7/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.5%

Location

Box 8, Shepherd, MT 59079

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shepherd Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Medicine Crow Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Billings), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lockwood Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Lockwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Castle Rock Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Billings), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Shepherd, see our Shepherd schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Shepherd Elementary Shepherd 0.0 mi 6.8
Shepherd High School Shepherd 0.0 mi 4.9
Pioneer School Billings 6.8 mi 4.4
Independent School Billings 8.6 mi 6.6
Beartooth School Billings 9.2 mi 5.2
Medicine Crow Middle School Billings 9.4 mi 6.0
Bitterroot School Billings 9.6 mi 5.1
Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood 10.9 mi 8.1
Lockwood Primary Lockwood 10.9 mi 6.2
Lockwood Middle School Lockwood 10.9 mi 5.8
Lockwood High School Lockwood 10.9 mi 3.5
Huntley Project Elem K-6 Worden 8.6 mi 6.3
Huntley Project High Schl Worden 8.7 mi 7.2
Huntley Project 7-8 Worden 8.7 mi 4.4
Bench School Billings 10.7 mi 4.3
Sandstone School Billings 11.0 mi 6.0
Castle Rock Middle School Billings 11.2 mi 5.2
Skyview High School Billings 11.2 mi 4.1
Alkali Creek School Billings 11.9 mi 6.2
Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings 11.8 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,851

Median Home Value

$350,400

Median Rent

$1,516/mo

Population

3,893

College Educated

23.4%

Homeownership

96%

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

45.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Northside School Wolf Point, MT 4.7
Florence-Carlton 6-8 Florence, MT 4.5
Eureka Middle School 5-8 Eureka, MT 5.0
Frank Brattin Middle Schl Colstrip, MT 4.4
Huntley Project 7-8 Worden, MT 4.4
Sleeping Giant Middle Sch Livingston, MT 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shepherd Middle School

What grades does Shepherd Middle School serve?

Shepherd Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Shepherd Middle School?

Shepherd Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 200 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Middle School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shepherd Middle School rank in MT?

Shepherd Middle School ranks #499 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Shepherd Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shepherd Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Shepherd Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Shepherd Middle School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Shepherd Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Shepherd Middle School a Title I school?

No, Shepherd Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

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

38.5% of students at Shepherd Middle 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

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Yellowstone County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.5%

District

Shepherd Elem
District Enrollment
571
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,165
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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