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
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
6.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Shields Valley 7-8 — Students at Shields Valley 7-8 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
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: 5.2/10.
How Shields Valley 7-8 Compares
See how Shields Valley 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (406) 686-4621
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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