The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Poplar 7-8
Poplar 7-8 is a public middle school serving seventh and eighth grades in Poplar, Montana, a small town that serves as the government and institutional center of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The school is part of the Poplar Elem district, the second-largest school system on the reservation. The building is on Fourth Avenue West in the compact town center, near tribal offices, the health center, and Fort Peck Community College.
The school enrolls a small student body across its two grades. Nearly all students are American Indian or Alaska Native, with a very small number identifying as Hispanic or as two or more races. Every enrolled student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the high poverty rate in the community. The town itself has seen population decline in recent years, and the district data shows no recent major changes reported.
State testing data for the most recent school year paints an unusual picture. In math and English language arts, the reported proficiency rate was zero percent, and the number of students tested was also reported as zero. Because the state testing program typically applies to these grades, a parent may want to ask the school directly what testing took place and whether the zero reflects a data-reporting issue or a different circumstance. For science, the proficiency rate was suppressed to protect student privacy, and over 50 students were tested; no performance level was released. The school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Roosevelt County. No data was available for graduation rate, chronic absenteeism, or other outcomes—this school does not serve high school grades, so graduation data does not apply.
The community context is heavily shaped by its reservation setting. Poplar is the seat of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, with tribal government, a Bureau of Indian Affairs agency, a hospital, and a community college all located within walking distance of the school. Most residents drive to work, commuting a moderate distance, and homeownership rates are higher than national averages. Employment is concentrated in education, health care, and public administration. The town has a museum with tribal history and hosts annual cultural celebrations like Poplar Indian Days.
No information was available about course access, staffing ratios, discipline rates, or special education and English learner populations. The district did not have a publicized strategic plan or recent changes to highlight. A family considering this school would want to visit in person and speak with administrators about the academic program, the testing situation, and what support structures exist for students. The school sits in a small, close-knit community where the lines between town, tribal government, and school are closely interwoven.
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