Top Rankings
Shepherd Elementary School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Montana for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 200 students in Shepherd Elementary School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Montana.
Public Middle School in Shepherd Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the Montana public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Montana public middle school average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
2 Schools
328 Schools
# Students
571 Students
34,458 Students
# Teachers
37 Teachers
2,561 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Shepherd Elementary School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 333 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
Overall District Rank
#154 out of 350 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
37%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
46%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
37%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.17
0.39
% American Indian
5%
11%
% Asian
n/a
n/a
% Hispanic
2%
6%
% Black
2%
1%
% White
91%
77%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,245 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,312. The school district revenue/student has grown by 29% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $23,158 is higher than the state median of $15,401. The school district spending/student has grown by 70% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$8 MM
$2,285 MM
Spending
$13 MM
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,245
$15,312
Spending / Student
$23,158
$15,401
Best Shepherd Elementary School District Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Shepherd Middle School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
7842 Shepherd Road
Shepherd, MT 59079
(406) 373-5873
Shepherd, MT 59079
(406) 373-5873
Gr: 6-8 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Recent Articles
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding 51±¬ÁÏ Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.
