Augusta 7-8

Augusta 7-8 is a small public middle school in Augusta, Montana, serving just 13 students in grades 7-8. Despite its tiny size, this school has consistently performed well on state assessments, with high proficiency rates in core subjects like English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science that exceed the state averages.

One key factor contributing to Augusta 7-8's academic success is its very low student-teacher ratio, which has ranged from 4.7 to 13.3 students per teacher in recent years. This allows for personalized attention and support for each student. However, the school also serves a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students, with 53-58% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Augusta Elementary District, which oversees Augusta 7-8, is ranked 56 out of 387 districts in Montana and has a 4-star rating.

While Augusta 7-8's performance has fluctuated over the years, with a high ranking of 6 out of 222 Montana middle schools in 2024-2025 and a low ranking of 100 out of 200 in 2020-2021, the school's overall academic achievements are impressive. Further analysis of the factors contributing to these changes, as well as comparisons to nearby schools, could provide valuable insights into how this small rural school is able to deliver such strong results for its students.