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
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sun River Middle School — Students at Sun River Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.3/10.
How Sun River Middle School Compares
See how Sun River Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 24.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (406) 264-5110
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sun River Valley Elem- District Enrollment
- 175
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,579
- District Rank
- #2 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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