The top reported proficiency rate is 68% in Science. The lowest is 0% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Anderson 7-8
Anderson 7-8 serves as the middle school within the Anderson Elem district, a single-school district located in the fast-growing city of Bozeman, Montana. The school serves only seventh and eighth graders, and with a small total enrollment, it creates an intimate academic setting where students move through two formative years together. Families considering this school are choosing a very contained, small-scale middle school experience within a larger Bozeman context.
The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of Hispanic and multiracial students, and a small number of Asian students enrolled. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is not available, and information on students with disabilities and English learners is also missing. A parent may want to ask the school about the levels of support available for these populations.
State testing results present an incomplete picture. For the most recent testing year, Anderson 7-8 reported zero students tested in math and English language arts, and the school returned a proficiency rate of zero percent in both subjects. The data does not explain why no students took those assessments, though the small size of the school and its grade configuration could be factors. In science, where students are tested less frequently, the school reported a share of students scoring proficient or above that may be considered solid, though the number of students tested was small enough that a few students can change the outcome. Given the missing and anomalous data in math and ELA, the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Gallatin County, but this comparison should be treated with caution because of the unusual testing results.
Because Anderson 7-8 does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report. The school sits under the Anderson Elem district, for which recent public information did not reveal major property-tax initiatives, curriculum changes, or leadership upheavals. The district was recognized with a National Blue Ribbon award in 2023, a point of distinction that may interest families weighing the school’s academic reputation.
Bozeman itself is a mix of university town and regional hub, home to Montana State University and a growing high-tech sector. The city has experienced rapid population growth, and median home values and rents in the area are high, reflecting strong demand and limited supply. Downtown is walkable, but outside the core the city is car-dependent, and public transit usage is low. For families living in or moving to Bozeman, the housing market is tight and expensive, which factors into the choice of a school this small.
For a parent, Anderson 7-8 is a straightforward proposition: a two-grade middle school with a small enrollment in a district with a notable recent award. The lack of usable state test data in math and reading means it is difficult to assess academic performance from the publicly reported numbers alone. A family comfortable with a very small school environment and willing to follow up directly on the testing gap may find the school fits, but the thin data does not offer much reassurance on academic outcomes.
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