Bissell 7-8

Bissell 7-8 is a small public middle school located in Whitefish, Montana, serving grades 7-8 with a total enrollment of just 17 students. As part of the Olney-Bissell Elementary School District, which is ranked 127 out of 387 districts in the state, Bissell 7-8 has shown significant fluctuations in its performance over the years.

While the school's test scores in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are generally on par with or slightly below the district and state averages, Bissell 7-8 has demonstrated some strengths, such as 50% proficiency in ELA and Science in 2024-2025. However, the school's statewide ranking has varied greatly, from as high as 7th out of 123 middle schools in 2023-2024 (5-star rating) to as low as 165th out of 200 in 2020-2021 (1-star rating). This volatility in performance may be influenced by factors such as the school's small student population, changes in teaching staff, or other school-specific dynamics. Interestingly, Bissell 7-8 is located relatively close (within 16 miles) to several higher-performing middle schools, such as Whitefish Middle 5-8, Deer Park 6-8, and Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School, which could provide opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing.

Another notable aspect of Bissell 7-8 is its higher-than-average free/reduced lunch rates, ranging from 35.29% to 44.44% in recent years, which suggests the school may be serving a population with greater socioeconomic challenges. However, the school's small size and low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 6.2 to 10.8, could be an advantage, allowing for more individualized attention and personalized learning experiences. Overall, Bissell 7-8 is a unique and complex school that presents both challenges and opportunities for improvement and collaboration with its neighboring educational institutions.