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
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Valier High School — Students at Valier High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.9%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.5/10.
How Valier High School Compares
See how Valier High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 30% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (406) 279-3613
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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