The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Ennis High School
Ennis High School sits at the center of a small, tightly knit community in southwestern Montana, serving ninth through twelfth graders as the sole high school in the Ennis K-12 Schools district. The town of Ennis blends a long-standing ranching economy with a robust tourism and fly-fishing industry, and the school reflects that setting—a single high school of modest size where most students come from the immediate area.
The student body is small, with enrollment spread fairly evenly across the four grade levels. The demographic composition is predominantly white, with small shares of students who are American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic, or of two or more races. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that places the school below the national average for economic disadvantage in public schools. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the profile.
Public state assessment results for high school grades were not available in the data provided to this profile. The testing results shown cover grades three through eight only, and therefore do not apply to Ennis High School. A national academic context placed the school’s overall proficiency index in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Madison County, but that comparison is based on a limited set of scores that may not reflect high school performance. A graduation rate was also not reported. Because these are core metrics for a comprehensive high school, a parent may want to ask the school directly for its most recent outcomes on state assessments and for its four-year graduation rate.
Housing costs in the zip code that includes Ennis are elevated relative to the national median, and well above the statewide median. Monthly mortgage estimates are high, reflecting the area’s desirability as a recreation and second-home market. Rents were not reported. The wider economic context shows a national unemployment rate typical of a stable labor market, but the local economy is heavily shaped by tourism, ranching, and small-scale manufacturing.
The district completed a major capital project in 2022, opening a new K-12 facility that consolidated all grades onto a renovated campus. This is a lasting change that directly affects classroom space, building quality, and the daily experience for every student and staff member. The new facility was funded in part by a voter-approved bond, signaling community investment in the schools.
Ennis itself is a compact town where civic life and schools are integrated into the downtown area. Main Street serves as the commercial spine, with fly shops, lodging, dining, and a local distillery. The Madison River runs along the town’s eastern border and is a central recreational anchor. Annual events such as a Fourth of July parade and rodeo, a fly-fishing festival, and an arts festival reinforce the community’s identity. The Madison Valley Public Library and the Ennis National Fish Hatchery are additional civic anchors.
For families considering this school, the key considerations are the small, rural setting, the recent facility upgrade, and the absence of publicly reported academic outcome data for the high school grades. The school’s size means students likely know their classmates and teachers well. The community is driven by ranching and outdoor tourism, and the school is woven into that fabric. Without state testing results or a graduation rate in the profile, a parent would be wise to seek that information directly from the district before making a judgment about academic performance.
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