Noxon 7-8

Noxon 7-8 is a small public middle school in Noxon, Montana, serving just 28 students in grades 7-8. This rural school faces significant challenges, including consistently low academic performance and a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students.

Noxon 7-8 has a very low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 5.6 to 7.9 students per teacher, which is much lower than the state average. However, the school has struggled academically, with proficiency rates well below the state averages in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. In the 2024-2025 school year, Noxon 7-8's proficiency rates were just 23.08% in ELA, 11.54% in Math, and 22.22% in Science, compared to the state averages of 43.09%, 36.77%, and 38.16%, respectively. The school's statewide ranking has also declined over the years, from 73rd out of 156 middle schools in 2009-2010 to 196th out of 222 middle schools in 2024-2025.

One interesting finding is that the Noxon Elementary School, which serves grades K-6 in the same district, has slightly higher proficiency rates than Noxon 7-8 in some subject areas, suggesting that the academic challenges may be more pronounced at the middle school level. Additionally, Noxon 7-8 has an extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 50% to 96.43% in recent years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. Addressing these issues will likely require a comprehensive approach that considers the unique needs and circumstances of the school and its community.