Very Good
#190 of 603 schools in MT
Top 31% in state
Sunburst High School
High School · Sunburst K-12 Schools
Box 710, Sunburst, MT 59482
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sunburst
#2 of 2
public schools
Montana high schools
#46 of 141
In district
#2 of 2
Sunburst K-12 Schools
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Sunburst High School
Sunburst High School serves 49 students in grades 9-12 in the small rural community of Sunburst, Montana. With just 6 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school demonstrates strong overall academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking 58th out of 605 high schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile among Montana schools.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 75% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for academic growth, with 25% of students reaching proficiency standards. Despite its remote location, Sunburst High School serves a relatively stable community where the median household income of $81,806 exceeds many rural areas.
The surrounding ZIP code has a population of 992 residents, with 29% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.3%. This small high school offers students the advantages of close-knit relationships with teachers and peers in Montana's expansive Toole County countryside, where the remote rural setting provides a unique educational environment away from urban distractions.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 49 students, Sunburst High 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, Sunburst High School 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, Sunburst High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Sunburst High School — Students at Sunburst High School 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
38.8%
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: 8.8/10.
How Sunburst High School Compares
See how Sunburst High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 75% (2022).
Location
Box 710, Sunburst, MT 59482
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunburst High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cut Bank High School (rated 5.1/10, 25.5 miles away, in nearby Cut Bank), a more accessible option. Additionally, Shelby High School (rated 4.2/10, 25.3 miles away, in nearby Shelby), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sunburst, see our Sunburst schools guide .
Nearby Schools
13 within 25.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sunburst 7 - 8 Sunburst | 0.0 mi | — |
| Sunburst Elementary Sunburst | 0.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Big Rose Colony School Shelby | 19.0 mi | — |
| Glacier Elementary School Cut Bank | 14.2 mi | — |
| Horizon Elementary Cut Bank | 18.0 mi | — |
| Shelby 7-8 Shelby | 25.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Shelby High School Shelby | 25.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Shelby Elementary School Shelby | 25.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Zenith Elementary Cut Bank | 19.4 mi | — |
| Anna Jeffries Elementary Cut Bank | 25.1 mi | 7.0 |
| H C Davis Elementary Cut Bank | 25.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Cut Bank Middle School Cut Bank | 25.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Cut Bank High School Cut Bank | 25.5 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59482 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,250
Median Home Value
$158,800
Median Rent
$1,042/mo
Population
1,002
College Educated
30.3%
Homeownership
68.2%
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
20.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sunburst High School has a median household income of $86,250. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,800, with a median rent of $1,042/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bainville High School Bainville, MT | 7.1 |
| Stanford High School Stanford, MT | 7.0 |
| Twin Bridges High School Twin Bridges, MT | 7.2 |
| Gardiner High School Gardiner, MT | 6.9 |
| Chester-Joplin-Inverness HS Chester, MT | 7.3 |
| Hobson High School Hobson, MT | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunburst High School
What grades does Sunburst High School serve?
Sunburst High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Sunburst High School?
Sunburst High School has an enrollment of approximately 49 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunburst High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunburst High School is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunburst High School rank in MT?
Sunburst High School is ranked #190 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Sunburst High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunburst High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Sunburst High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunburst High School has 58.3% math proficiency and 58.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sunburst High School a charter school?
No, Sunburst High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunburst High School a Title I school?
No, Sunburst High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunburst High School?
38.8% of students at Sunburst High 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 49
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Toole County
- Phone
- (406) 937-2811
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sunburst K-12 Schools- District Enrollment
- 159
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,736
- 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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