Big Sandy High School

398 First Ave
Big Sandy, MT 59520
(School attendance zone shown in map)
: 
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Big Sandy High School is a small public secondary school in Big Sandy, Chouteau County, Montana. They are known as the Pioneers.
Serving 59 students in grades 9-12, Big Sandy High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Montana for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤20% (which is lower than the Montana state average of 37%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 40-59% (which is approximately equal to the Montana state average of 46%).
The student-teacher ratio of 8:1 is lower than the Montana state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is higher than the Montana state average of 24% (majority American Indian).

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 59 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 27%
  • : ≥80% (Top 50% in MT)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : ≤20% (Btm 50%)
  • : 40-59% (Top 50%)
  • : 40-59% (Top 50%)
  • : Big Sandy High School's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district in Big Sandy, MT, covering approximately 1,384.1 square miles. Families can expect typical drives of 20 to 30 minutes to reach the school, with the average distance to the zone's edge being about 24.5 miles and the furthest edge located 40.5 miles away.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education

School Overview

Big Sandy High School's student population of 59 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 7 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
59 students

Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

Total Classroom Teachers
7 teachers

Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

School Calendar
School Motto
The impossible can always be broken down to possibilities

School Rankings

Big Sandy High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 696 schools in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Big Sandy High School is 0.44, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.40. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (MT)
#484 out of 696 schools
(Bottom 50%)

Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

≤20%
37%

Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

40-59%
46%
40-59%
37%
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
12:1

Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

American Indian
14%
10%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

Asian
2%
1%

Showing 1999–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic
8%
7%

Showing 2005–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓

White
73%
76%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
27%
0.44

Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

≥80%
85.5%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

(22-23)
32.2%
35.9%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
37%
50%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Eligible for Reduced Lunch
12%
5%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓

School Statewide Testing
School District Name

Sports

Colors
Purple, Gold
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Big Sandy High School's ranking?
Big Sandy High School is ranked #484 out of 696 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Montana.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤20% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 37% MT state average), while 40-59% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 46% MT state average).
What is the graduation rate of Big Sandy High School?
The graduation rate of Big Sandy High School is 80%, which is lower than the Montana state average of 85.5%.
How many students attend Big Sandy High School?
59 students attend Big Sandy High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
73% of Big Sandy High School students are White, 14% of students are American Indian, 8% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Big Sandy High School?
Big Sandy High School has a student ration of 8:1, which is lower than the Montana state average of 12:1.
What grades does Big Sandy High School offer ?
Big Sandy High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Big Sandy High School part of?
Big Sandy High School is part of Big Sandy K-12 School District.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 59 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 27%
  • : ≥80% (Top 50%)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : ≤20% (Btm 50%)
  • : 40-59% (Top 50%)
  • : 40-59% (Top 50%)
  • : Big Sandy High School's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district in Big Sandy, MT, covering approximately 1,384.1 square miles. Families can expect typical drives of 20 to 30 minutes to reach the school, with the average distance to the zone's edge being about 24.5 miles and the furthest edge located 40.5 miles away.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education

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