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Below Average

#481 of 603 schools in MT

West Yellowstone 6-8

Middle School · West Yellowstone K-12

Box 460, West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Enrollment

63

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#481 of 603

In West Yellowstone

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

West Yellowstone K-12

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West Yellowstone 6-8

4.9/10

Middle School in West Yellowstone · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Yellowstone School

7.8/10

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

West Yellowstone HS

4.2/10

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

About West Yellowstone 6-8

West Yellowstone 6-8 is a public middle school in West Yellowstone, MT, part of West Yellowstone K-12. West Yellowstone 6-8 serves approximately 63 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. West Yellowstone 6-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #481 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for West Yellowstone 6-8 show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts below MT schools
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 63 students, West Yellowstone 6-8 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.

West Yellowstone 6-8 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.

30% of students at West Yellowstone 6-8 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 Progress4.4Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment5.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,324
Chronic Absenteeism30.2%

West Yellowstone 6-8 — Students at West Yellowstone 6-8 score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.9% (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
54.5%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
49.5%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
49.5%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
64.5%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
30%
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: 4.4/10.

How West Yellowstone 6-8 Compares

See how West Yellowstone 6-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
20th percentile in MT
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
5.8/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

Location

Box 460, West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Yellowstone 6-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Gardiner School (rated 8.2/10, 31.9 miles away, in nearby Gardiner), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Yellowstone School (rated 7.8/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gardiner High School (rated 6.4/10, 31.9 miles away, in nearby Gardiner), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Yellowstone, see our West Yellowstone schools guide .

Nearby Schools

6 within 31.9 mi
School Distance Rating
West Yellowstone School West Yellowstone 0.0 mi 7.8
West Yellowstone HS West Yellowstone 0.0 mi 4.2
ISLAND PARK CHARTER SCHOOL Island Park 16.0 mi
Gardiner School Gardiner 31.9 mi 8.2
Gardiner 7-8 Gardiner 31.9 mi
Gardiner High School Gardiner 31.9 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59758 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,750

Median Home Value

$476,600

Median Rent

$1,050/mo

Population

2,097

College Educated

31.6%

Homeownership

66%

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

38.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arlee 7-8 Arlee, MT 4.8
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell, MT 4.8
Box Elder 7-8 Box Elder, MT 4.6
KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell, MT 4.6
Lodge Grass 7-8 Lodge Grass, MT 4.6
Absarokee 6-8 Absarokee, MT 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Yellowstone 6-8

What grades does West Yellowstone 6-8 serve?

West Yellowstone 6-8 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend West Yellowstone 6-8?

West Yellowstone 6-8 has an enrollment of approximately 63 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Yellowstone 6-8?

The student-teacher ratio at West Yellowstone 6-8 is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Yellowstone 6-8 rank in MT?

West Yellowstone 6-8 ranks #481 of 603 schools in MT.

What is West Yellowstone 6-8's MySchoolScout rating?

West Yellowstone 6-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 West Yellowstone 6-8?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Yellowstone 6-8 has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is West Yellowstone 6-8 a charter school?

No, West Yellowstone 6-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Yellowstone 6-8 a Title I school?

No, West Yellowstone 6-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Yellowstone 6-8?

47.6% of students at West Yellowstone 6-8 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

7 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Gallatin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

District

West Yellowstone K-12
District Enrollment
273
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,324
District Rank
#2 of 3

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