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Average

#253 of 603 schools in MT

Top 42% 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

6.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#253 of 603

In Townsend

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Townsend K-12 Schools

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Townsend 7-8

6.7/10

Middle School in Townsend · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cecelia Hazelton School

6.2/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Broadwater High School

4.9/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Townsend 7-8

Townsend 7-8 is a public middle school in Townsend, MT, part of Townsend K-12 Schools. Townsend 7-8 serves approximately 119 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Townsend 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #253 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Townsend 7-8 show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above MT schools
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 119 students, Townsend 7-8 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Townsend 7-8 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

38% of students at Townsend 7-8 were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.39 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,363
Chronic Absenteeism37.8%

Townsend 7-8 — Students at Townsend 7-8 score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
52%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Townsend 7-8 Compares

See how Townsend 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in MT
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
5.0/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.8%

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. Clancy 7-8 (rated 8.1/10, 24.5 miles away, in nearby Clancy), which scores notably higher. Another option is Manhattan 6-8 (rated 6.9/10, 33.1 miles away, in nearby Manhattan), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Montana City Middle Schl (rated 6.7/10, 24.8 miles away, in nearby Clancy), with a very similar rating. 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 6.2
Broadwater High School Townsend 0.1 mi 4.9
Three Forks Elem School Three Forks 29.4 mi 6.6
Three Forks 7-8 Three Forks 29.4 mi 5.3
Three Forks High School Three Forks 29.4 mi 5.3
Eastgate School East Helena 25.9 mi 5.9
Montana City School Clancy 24.8 mi 7.2
Montana City Middle Schl Clancy 24.8 mi 6.7
East Valley Middle School East Helena 26.3 mi 4.7
Radley Elementary School East Helena 26.6 mi 7.9
Prickly Pear Elem East Helena 26.7 mi 4.9
East Helena High School East Helena 27.1 mi 2.5
Clancy School Clancy 24.5 mi 7.8
Clancy 7-8 Clancy 24.5 mi 8.1
HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena 27.8 mi 5.6
Manhattan Elem Manhattan 33.1 mi 7.8
Manhattan 6-8 Manhattan 33.1 mi 6.9
Manhattan H S Manhattan 33.1 mi 7.5
Willow Creek School Willow Creek 34.9 mi 5.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Target Range 7-8 Missoula, MT 6.5
Utterback 7-8 Conrad, MT 6.5
Whitehall 6-8 Whitehall, MT 6.4
Poplar 5-6 School Poplar, MT 6.1
Bigfork 7-8 Bigfork, MT 6.0
HEADWATERS ACADEMY Bozeman, MT 7.4

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 ranks #253 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Townsend 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Townsend 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Townsend 7-8?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Townsend 7-8 has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
63 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.8%

District

Townsend K-12 Schools
District Enrollment
700
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,363
District Rank
#1 of 3

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