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Average

#223 of 603 schools in MT

Top 37% in state

Shields Valley 7-8

Middle School · Shields Valley Elem

PO Box 40, Clyde Park, MT 59018

Enrollment

30

Student-Teacher

10:1

Score

6.8

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Clyde Park

#2 of 3

public schools

Montana middle schools

#45 of 143

In district

#1 of 2

Shields Valley Elem

Academic performance

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Shields Valley 7-8

Shields Valley 7-8 serves 30 middle school students in grades 7 and 8 in the small community of Clyde Park, Montana. With just 3 full-time equivalent teachers, this intimate public school maintains an exceptional 10:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 81st out of 605 Montana schools, placing it in the 87th percentile statewide.

Students show solid achievement in English Language Arts, with 54% scoring proficient or above, while mathematics performance at 44% proficiency indicates an area with room for continued growth and development. This rural middle school serves families in a community where the median household income is $59,688 and home values average $275,000. About 31% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at a relatively low 11.5%, reflecting a stable, working-class community.

The school's small size creates a close-knit environment where teachers can build meaningful relationships with each student and tailor instruction to individual needs. Shields Valley 7-8 operates in the heart of Park County's rural landscape, where students experience education in a tight-knit community setting surrounded by Montana's scenic countryside.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 30 students, Shields Valley 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, Shields Valley 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 Progress5.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,907

Shields Valley 7-8 — Students at Shields Valley 7-8 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.8%
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
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
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: 5.2/10.

How Shields Valley 7-8 Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
63th percentile in MT
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

PO Box 40, Clyde Park, MT 59018

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shields Valley 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Shields Valley High Schl (rated 9.1/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Longfellow School (rated 8.4/10, 25.8 miles away, in nearby Bozeman), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MOUNT ELLIS ACADEMY (rated 8.3/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Bozeman), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clyde Park, see our Clyde Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Shields Valley High Schl Clyde Park 0.0 mi 9.1
Shields Valley Elementary Clyde Park 7.8 mi 5.2
EDUCATIO Livingston 15.8 mi
ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Livingston 15.9 mi 7.1
East Side School Livingston 16.0 mi 7.8
Sleeping Giant Middle Sch Livingston 16.0 mi 4.7
Park High School Livingston 16.1 mi 5.0
B A Winans School Livingston 16.3 mi 6.7
Malmborg School Bozeman 18.9 mi
Pine Creek 6-8 Livingston 25.5 mi
Pine Creek School Livingston 25.5 mi
MT ELLIS ELEMENTARY Bozeman 23.5 mi 6.6
LaMotte 6-8 Bozeman 23.7 mi
LaMotte School Bozeman 23.7 mi 6.8
MOUNT ELLIS ACADEMY Bozeman 23.6 mi 8.3
Springhill School Belgrade 21.3 mi
Hawthorne School Bozeman 25.3 mi 5.4
Longfellow School Bozeman 25.8 mi 8.4
Whittier School Bozeman 25.7 mi 5.1
GREAT BEGINNINGS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bozeman 24.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,556

Median Home Value

$330,600

Median Rent

$950/mo

Population

656

College Educated

34.9%

Homeownership

78.5%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

58.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shields Valley 7-8 has a median household income of $60,556. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $330,600, with a median rent of $950/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bridger 7-8 Bridger, MT 6.8
Hobson 6-8 Hobson, MT 6.7
St Regis 7-8 St. Regis, MT 6.4
Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 Hays, MT 7.3
Drummond 7-8 Drummond, MT 5.9
Redwater 7-8 Circle, MT 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shields Valley 7-8

What grades does Shields Valley 7-8 serve?

Shields Valley 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Shields Valley 7-8?

Shields Valley 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 30 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shields Valley 7-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Shields Valley 7-8 is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shields Valley 7-8 rank in MT?

Shields Valley 7-8 is ranked #223 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Shields Valley 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Shields Valley 7-8 has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Shields Valley 7-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shields Valley 7-8 has 52.8% math proficiency and 62.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Shields Valley 7-8 a charter school?

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

Is Shields Valley 7-8 a Title I school?

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

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

36.7% of students at Shields Valley 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

County Safety
Average (280/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Park County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Shields Valley Elem
District Enrollment
141
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,820
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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