Needs Improvement
#598 of 603 schools in MT
West Yellowstone HS
High School · West Yellowstone K-12
Box 460, West Yellowstone, MT 59758
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
3.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
3.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Yellowstone
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana high schools
#140 of 141
In district
#3 of 3
West Yellowstone K-12
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About West Yellowstone HS
West Yellowstone HS is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of West Yellowstone, Montana. Serving grades 9 through 12, the school has an enrollment of just 70 students and employs 6 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1. The small class sizes provide personalized attention to each student, fostering a supportive learning environment.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, West Yellowstone HS ranks at the 7th percentile among Montana schools with an overall score of 3.4 out of 10 and an academic performance score of 1.5 out of 10. Test scores indicate that 23% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 17% are proficient or above in Math, suggesting areas for improvement in academics. Despite the challenges reflected in these numbers, West Yellowstone HS is a close-knit community where teachers and staff work closely with students to support their educational journey.
The school's setting in a remote rural area offers unique opportunities for outdoor education and community engagement, making it a distinctive place for high school education.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 70 students, West Yellowstone HS 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, West Yellowstone HS 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
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West Yellowstone HS — Students at West Yellowstone HS score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.6%
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: 2.9/10.
How West Yellowstone HS Compares
See how West Yellowstone HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
Box 460, West Yellowstone, MT 59758
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Yellowstone HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Yellowstone School (rated 8.1/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gardiner High School (rated 6.9/10, 31.9 miles away, in nearby Gardiner), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Yellowstone 6-8 (rated 6.3/10), 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 | 8.1 |
| West Yellowstone 6-8 West Yellowstone | 0.0 mi | 6.3 |
| ISLAND PARK CHARTER SCHOOL Island Park | 16.0 mi | — |
| Gardiner School Gardiner | 31.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Gardiner 7-8 Gardiner | 31.9 mi | — |
| Gardiner High School Gardiner | 31.9 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Yellowstone HS has a median household income of $59,750. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $476,600, with a median rent of $1,050/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Regis High School St. Regis, MT | 3.8 |
| Big Sandy High School Big Sandy, MT | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Yellowstone HS
What grades does West Yellowstone HS serve?
West Yellowstone HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend West Yellowstone HS?
West Yellowstone HS has an enrollment of approximately 70 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Yellowstone HS?
The student-teacher ratio at West Yellowstone HS is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Yellowstone HS rank in MT?
West Yellowstone HS is ranked #598 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is West Yellowstone HS's MySchoolScout rating?
West Yellowstone HS has a composite rating of 3.2 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 West Yellowstone HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Yellowstone HS has 16.7% math proficiency and 23.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Yellowstone HS a charter school?
No, West Yellowstone HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Yellowstone HS a Title I school?
No, West Yellowstone HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Yellowstone HS?
48.6% of students at West Yellowstone HS 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (746/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Yellowstone). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 70
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Gallatin County
- Phone
- (406) 646-7617
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Yellowstone K-12- District Enrollment
- 273
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,324
- District Rank
- #3 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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