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Average

#263 of 603 schools in MT

Top 43% in state

Sweet Grass Co High Schl

High School · Sweet Grass County H S

PO Box 886, Big Timber, MT 59011

Enrollment

152

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Big Timber

#3 of 3

public schools

Montana high schools

#64 of 141

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Sweet Grass Co High Schl

Sweet Grass Co High Schl is a small rural high school located in Big Timber, Montana. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 152 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. The academic performance at Sweet Grass Co High Schl shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #449 out of 605 schools in Montana (26th percentile).

In terms of standardized test scores, 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 21% achieve proficiency in Math. Despite these challenges, the school community remains dedicated to supporting student development and academic progress. The setting is remote and rural, offering a unique environment for learning that fosters close-knit relationships among students and teachers.

Sweet Grass Co High Schl stands as an integral part of the Big Timber community, providing a supportive educational experience in a tight-knit small town setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 152 students, Sweet Grass Co 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.

While current test scores at Sweet Grass Co High Schl are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Sweet Grass Co 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-15.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,030

Sweet Grass Co High Schl — Students at Sweet Grass Co High Schl score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.2%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Sweet Grass Co High Schl Compares

See how Sweet Grass Co High Schl performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in MT
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

PO Box 886, Big Timber, MT 59011

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sweet Grass Co High Schl may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Big Timber School (rated 7.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Big Timber 7-8 (rated 6.9/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Big Timber, see our Big Timber schools guide .

Nearby Schools

10 within 34.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Big Timber School Big Timber 0.4 mi 7.8
Big Timber 7-8 Big Timber 0.4 mi 6.9
Greycliff School Greycliff 9.4 mi
McLeod School Mcleod 13.8 mi
Melville School Melville 18.6 mi
Nye School Nye 28.1 mi
Reed Point 7-8 Reed Point 21.4 mi
Reed Point High School Reed Point 21.4 mi
Reed Point Elementary Reed Point 21.5 mi
Fishtail School Fishtail 34.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59011 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,326

Median Home Value

$286,200

Median Rent

$1,061/mo

Population

3,131

College Educated

23.2%

Homeownership

75.1%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sweet Grass Co High Schl has a median household income of $67,326. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,200, with a median rent of $1,061/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Chinook High School Chinook, MT 6.7
Darby High School Darby, MT 6.7
Simms High School Simms, MT 6.7
Hays-Lodge Pole High Sch Hays, MT 6.8
Joliet High School Joliet, MT 6.8
LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula, MT 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sweet Grass Co High Schl

What grades does Sweet Grass Co High Schl serve?

Sweet Grass Co High Schl serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Sweet Grass Co High Schl?

Sweet Grass Co High Schl has an enrollment of approximately 152 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sweet Grass Co High Schl?

The student-teacher ratio at Sweet Grass Co High Schl is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sweet Grass Co High Schl rank in MT?

Sweet Grass Co High Schl is ranked #263 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Sweet Grass Co High Schl's MySchoolScout rating?

Sweet Grass Co High Schl has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Sweet Grass Co High Schl?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sweet Grass Co High Schl has 21.3% math proficiency and 41.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sweet Grass Co High Schl a charter school?

No, Sweet Grass Co High Schl is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sweet Grass Co High Schl a Title I school?

No, Sweet Grass Co High Schl is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sweet Grass Co High Schl?

26.3% of students at Sweet Grass Co 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Sweet Grass County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sweet Grass County H S
District Enrollment
152
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,106
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.

Read our full methodology

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