The top reported proficiency rate is 35% in English language arts. The lowest is 23% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Huntley Project 7-8
Huntley Project 7-8 is a public middle school serving seventh and eighth graders in Worden, Montana, part of the Huntley Project K-12 Schools district. It sits in a small rural agricultural community settled in part by Volga German immigrants, with a quiet small-town character, a modest Main Street including restaurants, a library, a health clinic, and a car-dependent layout accessed via Interstate 94. The school itself is integrated into the town fabric rather than isolated on a separate campus. The nearest major employment center is Billings, roughly a short drive to the west, and the area has seen modest population growth in recent years.
The school enrolls a moderate number of students for a two-grade middle school, evenly split between seventh and eighth graders. The student body is predominantly white, reflecting the surrounding community. Nearly half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure of economic need that is notable and indicates a substantial share of families working in agriculture or other local sectors. The school is part of a unified K-12 district, so students move on to Huntley Project High School within the same system.
On state assessments administered in the 2023-24 school year, proficiency rates were below the midpoint of the county distribution. In English language arts, more than a third of students met the state’s proficiency benchmark. In math, proficiency was below that level, and in science, about a quarter of students scored proficient. Taken together, these results place the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Yellowstone County. This is a soft spot in the school’s academic profile. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what supports are in place and how the school is addressing these outcomes.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on special education and English learner populations were not available in the materials reviewed. Similarly, information on programs such as course offerings, extracurriculars, or discipline was not provided, so a full picture of the academic pathways and student supports is incomplete. Given the school’s rural location and small size, families may want to ask directly about what electives, enrichment, or intervention services are offered.
The housing market in the broader Yellowstone County area shows a modest supply of active listings and a median listing price that has eased somewhat year over year, though homes remain less affordable relative to national benchmarks when measured against median income. For families considering a move to Worden, the local housing stock is limited, and commuting to Billings for employment or services is common.
Huntley Project 7-8 is a small, rural middle school serving a community with deep agricultural roots and a tight-knit feel. Its academic results on state tests are an area the school is likely working on, and the absence of detailed program data means prospective families should make direct inquiries. For those who value a small-town setting, a close school-to-community connection, and a feeder pattern into one high school, this school fits that profile.
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