The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in Science. The lowest is 0% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Power 7-8
Power 7-8 is a small rural middle school serving seventh and eighth graders in the unincorporated community of Power, Montana, roughly a short drive northwest of Great Falls along Interstate 15. The school sits within the Power Elementary School District, which operates a single consolidated K-12 campus that functions as the primary civic gathering point in this agricultural community. Parents considering this school should understand that they are looking at an environment shaped by its very small enrollment, its rural setting, and the limited data available for such a small student population.
The school enrolls a very small number of students across just two grades, creating an environment where students receive highly individualized attention by necessity. The student body is predominantly white, with a smaller share of Hispanic students and a trace number of American Indian or Alaska Native students. Nearly half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic realities of the surrounding rural area, where the economy is driven by agriculture, the school district itself, and small local businesses. The community has remained stable in population for years, with no major development pressures or growth initiatives, so families moving here are choosing a quiet rural setting.
State testing data for math and English language arts was reported for the most recent year, but with zero students scoring at the proficient or above level. For a school this small, a single year's results can be heavily influenced by the particular group of students in the tested grades, and the number of tested students was extremely low. A parent may want to discuss directly with the school how they track student progress in these subjects and what academic supports are in place. On the other hand, science assessment results paint a markedly different picture, with a large majority of tested students scoring proficient or above, a strong showing that stands out. The overall proficiency index across tested subjects places the school in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Teton County, though the comparison set is small and the school's tiny size makes year-to-year swings more likely.
No graduation rate is reported because the school does not serve grades beyond eighth. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, course access, and staffing was not available in the records used here. The school is not a charter and operates as a traditional public school in a district where a single campus serves all grades K-12, a common arrangement in rural Montana.
Housing values in the Power area are modestly above the national median, with home prices that have seen some growth recently. The homeownership rate in the community is high, and most residents own their homes rather than rent. The area offers very low population density, a highway-adjacent built environment without a walkable downtown, and a pace of life that is distinctly rural. Families from outside the immediate area would likely need to drive to Great Falls for most shopping, services, and employment opportunities.
Power 7-8 offers a very small, community-anchored middle school experience in a stable rural setting. The student is known by staff, the school campus is the heart of the town, and the path through seventh and eighth grades leads directly into the high school in the same building. The academic picture is mixed, with strong science results alongside math and reading results that are a clear soft spot worth investigating further. This setting fits families who value a close-knit rural environment, small class sizes, and a school that serves as a community hub rather than a large, program-rich institution.
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