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Average

#288 of 603 schools in MT

Top 48% in state

Valier High School

High School · Valier H S

PO Box 528, Valier, MT 59486

Enrollment

38

Student-Teacher

7.6:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Valier

#2 of 2

public schools

Montana high schools

#70 of 141

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Valier High School

Valier High School is a small, rural high school located in Valier, Montana. With an enrollment of just 38 students and a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, the school offers a close-knit environment where teachers can provide individualized attention to each student. Located in Pondera County, Valier High School serves grades 9 through 12.

The academic performance at Valier High School is currently rated 5.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 40th percentile among Montana schools. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 27%, while the Math proficiency rate is 20%. While these scores suggest there's room for academic growth, Valier High School focuses on student development and community engagement to support its students.

Valier High School is situated in a remote rural area, offering a tight-knit community feel with strong connections between students and their teachers. The school setting provides a unique backdrop where students can benefit from small class sizes and personalized learning opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 38 students, Valier 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.

While current test scores at Valier High School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, Valier 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-16.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,500

Valier High School — Students at Valier High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 26.7%
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
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Valier High School Compares

See how Valier High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in MT
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

PO Box 528, Valier, MT 59486

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valier High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Conrad High School (rated 7.2/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Conrad), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cut Bank High School (rated 5.1/10, 22.9 miles away, in nearby Cut Bank), a more accessible option. Additionally, Shelby High School (rated 4.2/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby Shelby), a more accessible option. For more schools in Valier, see our Valier schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Valier 7-8 Valier 0.1 mi
Valier School Valier 0.1 mi 7.2
Miami School Conrad 8.0 mi 1.7
Kingsbury Colony Attn Ctr Valier 10.6 mi
Dupuyer School Dupuyer 13.5 mi 6.5
Pendroy School Pendroy 19.2 mi
Conrad High School Conrad 16.6 mi 7.2
Bynum School Bynum 22.8 mi
Utterback 7-8 Conrad 16.9 mi 8.0
Utterback 4-6 Conrad 16.9 mi 8.0
Cut Bank Middle School Cut Bank 22.9 mi 5.2
Cut Bank High School Cut Bank 22.9 mi 5.1
Meadowlark School Conrad 16.9 mi 5.0
H C Davis Elementary Cut Bank 23.0 mi 3.4
Anna Jeffries Elementary Cut Bank 23.5 mi 7.0
Midway Colony Dutton 20.2 mi
Horizon Elementary Cut Bank 28.6 mi
Shelby High School Shelby 23.1 mi 4.2
Shelby 7-8 Shelby 23.2 mi 7.5
Shelby Elementary School Shelby 23.2 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59486 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,056

Median Home Value

$145,200

Median Rent

$782/mo

Population

1,196

College Educated

15.9%

Homeownership

82.2%

Poverty Rate

31.2%

Median Age

45.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valier High School has a median household income of $53,056. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $145,200, with a median rent of $782/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
NEW DAY SCHOOL Billings, MT 6.6
Froid High School Froid, MT 6.7
Gardiner High School Gardiner, MT 6.9
TURNING WINDS ACADEMIC INSTITUTE Troy, MT 6.1
Stanford High School Stanford, MT 7.0
Bainville High School Bainville, MT 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valier High School

What grades does Valier High School serve?

Valier High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Valier High School?

Valier High School has an enrollment of approximately 38 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valier High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Valier High School is 7.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valier High School rank in MT?

Valier High School is ranked #288 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Valier High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Valier High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Valier High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valier High School has 20.0% math proficiency and 26.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Valier High School a charter school?

No, Valier High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Valier High School a Title I school?

No, Valier High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valier High School?

57.9% of students at Valier 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (333/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Pondera County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Valier H S
District Enrollment
38
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,043
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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