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Very Good

#129 of 603 schools in MT

Top 21% in state

Sun River Middle School

Middle School · Sun River Valley Elem

Box 380, Simms, MT 59477

Enrollment

55

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

7.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Simms

#2 of 3

public schools

Montana middle schools

#23 of 143

In district

#2 of 2

Sun River Valley Elem

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Sun River Middle School

Sun River Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Simms, Montana. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade with an enrollment of 55 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, supported by four full-time equivalent teachers. Sun River Middle School ranks at #193 out of 605 schools in the state of Montana according to MySchoolScout's rating system, placing it in the 68th percentile overall and with an academic score of 5.6/10.

The school’s proficiency rates in ELA/Reading are at 51%, while Math proficiency stands at 31%. These scores suggest there is room for academic growth but also highlight areas where Sun River Middle School can focus on improving student outcomes. Sun River Middle School's location in a remote rural setting provides students with unique opportunities to connect with their community and the natural environment.

The small size of the school fosters close relationships between teachers, staff, and students, creating a supportive learning atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 55 students, Sun River Middle 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.

Located in a rural area, Sun River Middle 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.4Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,922

Sun River Middle School — Students at Sun River Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Sun River Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
79th percentile in MT
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

Box 380, Simms, MT 59477

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sun River Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cascade 6-8 (rated 6.1/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Cascade), a more accessible option. Additionally, Fairfield 7-8 (rated 5.7/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), a more accessible option. For more schools in Simms, see our Simms schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Simms High School Simms 0.0 mi 6.7
Fort Shaw Elem School Simms 5.1 mi 9.4
Cascade Colony School Simms 6.2 mi
FAIRFIELD MENNONITE SCHOOL Fairfield 8.1 mi 4.0
Fairfield Elementary School Fairfield 8.9 mi 5.0
Fairfield 7-8 Fairfield 8.9 mi 5.7
Fairfield High School Fairfield 8.9 mi 5.4
Greenfield 7-8 Fairfield 10.6 mi
Greenfield School Fairfield 10.6 mi 8.6
ELK CREEK MENNONITE Fort Shaw 11.1 mi
Golden Ridge School Fairfield 14.9 mi
Cascade School Cascade 18.4 mi 5.3
Cascade 6-8 Cascade 18.4 mi 6.1
Cascade High School Cascade 18.4 mi 7.2
Fairhaven Colony Ulm 15.3 mi 5.9
Auchard Creek School Wolf Creek 17.3 mi
Power School Power 19.1 mi 6.0
Power 7-8 Power 19.1 mi
Power High School Power 19.1 mi 9.1
Vaughn School Vaughn 18.3 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59477 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,938

Median Home Value

$193,900

Population

326

College Educated

28%

Homeownership

82.7%

Poverty Rate

0%

Median Age

39.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sun River Middle School has a median household income of $95,938. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,900. The local poverty rate of 0.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell, MT 7.5
Shelby 7-8 Shelby, MT 7.5
Troy 7-8 Troy, MT 7.4
Anderson 7-8 Bozeman, MT 7.7
Belt 7-8 Belt, MT 7.3
Ennis 7-8 Ennis, MT 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sun River Middle School

What grades does Sun River Middle School serve?

Sun River Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sun River Middle School?

Sun River Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 55 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sun River Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sun River Middle School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sun River Middle School rank in MT?

Sun River Middle School is ranked #129 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Sun River Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sun River Middle School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Sun River Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sun River Middle School has 31.2% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sun River Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Sun River Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

34.5% of students at Sun River 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (333/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cascade County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sun River Valley Elem
District Enrollment
175
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,579
District Rank
#2 of 2

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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