The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in English language arts. The lowest is 34% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Corvallis 7-8
Corvallis 7-8 serves seventh and eighth graders as part of the Corvallis K-12 Schools district in the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana. The town of Corvallis is a small, unincorporated census-designated place with a residential and agricultural character, known as the "Heart of the Valley" for its central position between the Bitterroot Mountains and the Sapphire Range. The district itself was established as the first school district in Montana, and the school serves as a central civic institution in this community. Housing values in the Corvallis ZIP code area are above the national benchmark and notably higher than the state benchmark, reflecting the broader trend of residential growth in the Bitterroot Valley as people move south from Missoula.
This is a middle school of modest size serving only the two grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of Hispanic students and students identifying as two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that economic diversity is present. Data on special education identification and English learner status was not included in the available information.
On the 2023-24 state assessments, which use the Smarter Balanced Assessment for math and English language arts and the Montana Science Assessment for science, the school's proficiency rates are below the state average and sit below the midpoint among districts in Ravalli County. In English language arts, roughly two out of five students met or exceeded the proficiency standard. In math, the rate was lower, with about one out of three students proficient. In science, a similar proportion of students performed at the proficient level. These results suggest that for a parent considering Corvallis 7-8, the school's academic performance is an area to explore further with the school, particularly regarding how it supports students who are not yet at the proficient benchmark. The comparison fact-set shows that Corvallis 7-8's overall proficiency index, which averages the tested subjects, is below the midpoint of the ten districts in Ravalli County.
No graduation rate is reported for this school, as it serves only grades seven and eight. Data on chronic absenteeism was also not included in the available information. Publicly reported district materials, such as board minutes and agendas, are available through the district website for parents who want to track recent policy decisions or financial matters, but the district brief did not contain specific strategic initiatives or recent changes to report here.
Because this is an unincorporated community, civic functions are handled at the county level. The local economy is primarily agricultural, with the Western Agricultural Research Center and the Corvallis School District itself as notable employers. The Teller Wildlife Refuge, a large private refuge along the Bitterroot River, provides a significant recreational anchor for outdoor activities. For families, the school sits within a small, rural community where daily life relies on the Eastside Highway and Woodside Cutoff Road for connections to Hamilton and US 93. A parent considering Corvallis 7-8 would be looking at a school that is deeply embedded in its valley setting, serving a primarily white student body with notable economic diversity, and where academic proficiency rates suggest the school is still working to raise student outcomes relative to its county peers.
See more original research from School Decision →