Excellent
#11 of 603 schools in MT
Top 2% in state
Shields Valley High Schl
High School · Shields Valley H S
PO Box 40, Clyde Park, MT 59018
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
9.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
9.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clyde Park
#1 of 3
public schools
Montana high schools
#1 of 141
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Shields Valley High Schl
Shields Valley High School is a public high school in Clyde Park, Montana, serving 59 students across grades 9 through 12. At a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, instruction stays personal — teachers know every student by name, and that proximity shows in the results. Shields Valley earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with academic and growth subscores of 9.9 and 10.0 respectively.
Those scores place it #1 among all 141 public high schools in Montana — a standout result for any school, and a striking one for a school this size. Statewide, it ranks #11 across all 603 public schools regardless of level, outperforming 98% of Montana schools at every grade band. For parents comparing options in Clyde Park, Shields Valley is the top-ranked school in the community.
For parents searching more broadly, the school's combination of near-perfect academic scores and a perfect growth rating makes it one of the most effective high schools in Montana — a strong case for any family willing to prioritize outcomes over proximity.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 59 students, Shields Valley High Schl 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 9.8:1, Shields Valley High Schl 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, Shields Valley High Schl 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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Shields Valley High Schl — Students at Shields Valley High Schl score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 10.0/10.
How Shields Valley High Schl Compares
See how Shields Valley High Schl performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 75% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 75% (2022).
Location
PO Box 40, Clyde Park, MT 59018
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shields Valley High Schl may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MOUNT ELLIS ACADEMY (rated 8.3/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Bozeman), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Park High School (rated 5.0/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Livingston), a more accessible option. For more schools in Clyde Park, see our Clyde Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shields Valley 7-8 Clyde Park | 0.0 mi | 6.8 |
| 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 High Schl 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 |
|---|---|
| Absarokee High School Absarokee, MT | 9.1 |
| Broadview High School Broadview, MT | 9.1 |
| Alberton High School Alberton, MT | 8.7 |
| Wibaux High School Wibaux, MT | 8.7 |
| Harlowton High School Harlowton, MT | 8.6 |
| Roberts High School Roberts, MT | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shields Valley High Schl
What grades does Shields Valley High Schl serve?
Shields Valley High Schl serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Shields Valley High Schl?
Shields Valley High Schl has an enrollment of approximately 59 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shields Valley High Schl?
The student-teacher ratio at Shields Valley High Schl is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shields Valley High Schl rank in MT?
Shields Valley High Schl is ranked #11 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Shields Valley High Schl's MySchoolScout rating?
Shields Valley High Schl has a composite rating of 9.1 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 High Schl?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shields Valley High Schl has 41.7% math proficiency and 58.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shields Valley High Schl a charter school?
No, Shields Valley High Schl is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shields Valley High Schl a Title I school?
No, Shields Valley High Schl is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shields Valley High Schl?
39.0% of students at Shields Valley High Schl 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 59
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Park County
- Phone
- (406) 686-4621
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Shields Valley H S- District Enrollment
- 59
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,520
- 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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