Very Good
#105 of 603 schools in MT
Top 17% in state
Townsend 7-8
Middle School · Townsend K-12 Schools
201 N Spruce, Townsend, MT 59644
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Townsend
#1 of 3
public schools
Montana middle schools
#13 of 143
In district
#1 of 3
Townsend K-12 Schools
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Townsend 7-8
Townsend 7-8 is a middle school located in the remote rural area of Townsend, Montana. With an enrollment of 119 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, the school provides individualized attention to each student. The academic performance at Townsend 7-8 reflects that it is in the 80th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and an academic score of 7.3 out of 10.
In terms of subject proficiency, 49% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 40% meet the same standard in math. These figures indicate areas for growth but also highlight ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes. The school is situated in a close-knit community where everyone knows each other, making it feel like one big family.
This setting fosters strong relationships between students and teachers and creates a supportive learning environment for young adolescents navigating the challenges of middle school.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 119 students, Townsend 7-8 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, Townsend 7-8 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
Townsend 7-8 — Students at Townsend 7-8 score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.3%
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: 9.0/10.
How Townsend 7-8 Compares
See how Townsend 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
201 N Spruce, Townsend, MT 59644
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Townsend 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Montana City Middle Schl (rated 7.3/10, 24.8 miles away, in nearby Clancy), with a comparable rating. Another option is Manhattan 6-8 (rated 6.7/10, 33.1 miles away, in nearby Manhattan), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Clancy 7-8 (rated 5.3/10, 24.5 miles away, in nearby Clancy), a more accessible option. For more schools in Townsend, see our Townsend schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 34.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cecelia Hazelton School Townsend | 0.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Broadwater High School Townsend | 0.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Three Forks Elem School Three Forks | 29.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Three Forks 7-8 Three Forks | 29.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Three Forks High School Three Forks | 29.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Eastgate School East Helena | 25.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Montana City School Clancy | 24.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Montana City Middle Schl Clancy | 24.8 mi | 7.3 |
| East Valley Middle School East Helena | 26.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Radley Elementary School East Helena | 26.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Prickly Pear Elem East Helena | 26.7 mi | 4.4 |
| East Helena High School East Helena | 27.1 mi | 3.1 |
| Clancy School Clancy | 24.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Clancy 7-8 Clancy | 24.5 mi | 5.3 |
| HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena | 27.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Manhattan Elem Manhattan | 33.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Manhattan 6-8 Manhattan | 33.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Manhattan H S Manhattan | 33.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Willow Creek School Willow Creek | 34.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Willow Creek 7-8 Willow Creek | 34.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59644 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,082
Median Home Value
$307,500
Median Rent
$1,022/mo
Population
4,337
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
75.1%
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Median Age
48.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Townsend 7-8 has a median household income of $59,082. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,500, with a median rent of $1,022/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Elysian Middle School Billings, MT | 7.7 |
| Ennis 7-8 Ennis, MT | 7.7 |
| Joliet Middle School Joliet, MT | 7.7 |
| Malta 6-7-8 Malta, MT | 7.6 |
| HEADWATERS ACADEMY Bozeman, MT | 7.4 |
| Utterback 4-6 Conrad, MT | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Townsend 7-8
What grades does Townsend 7-8 serve?
Townsend 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Townsend 7-8?
Townsend 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 119 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Townsend 7-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Townsend 7-8 is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Townsend 7-8 rank in MT?
Townsend 7-8 is ranked #105 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Townsend 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Townsend 7-8 has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Townsend 7-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Townsend 7-8 has 40.3% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Townsend 7-8 a charter school?
No, Townsend 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Townsend 7-8 a Title I school?
No, Townsend 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Townsend 7-8?
40.3% of students at Townsend 7-8 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
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 119
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Broadwater County
- Phone
- (406) 441-3431
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Townsend K-12 Schools- District Enrollment
- 700
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,363
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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