The top reported proficiency rate is 59% in English language arts. The lowest is 37% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Target Range 7-8
Target Range 7-8 is a small public middle school in Missoula, Montana, serving only seventh and eighth graders. It sits within the Target Range Elem district, a single building that covers these two grades before students move on to high school. The school's enrollment is small for a middle school, meaning students and staff know each other well, and the setting is relatively intimate.
Academically, the school posts results that place it in a positive position relative to other districts in Missoula County. On state assessments, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls in the top quartile of the county's sixteen districts. In English language arts, a clear majority of students meet or exceed the state's proficiency bar on the Smarter Balanced assessment. Math proficiency is also solid, with about half of students reaching that same benchmark, a rate that outpaces the district median for the county. The weakest area by far is science, where fewer than two in five students scored proficient on the Montana Science Assessment. A parent may want to ask the school about science instruction, curriculum, and whether the dip is concentrated among certain groups or reflects a broader gap.
The student body is predominantly white, which mirrors the surrounding community. Less than one in four students are non-white, and among those the largest share identifies as two or more races, followed by small numbers of American Indian, Black, and Hispanic students. Just over a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure of economic need that is moderate by national standards. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available. Given the school's grade span, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data was also missing.
Missoula itself shapes much of the context for this school. The city is a mid-sized university town anchored by the University of Montana, which sits near downtown and contributes a lively, pedestrian-friendly core along the Clark Fork River. The economy has moved away from its historic lumber base and now centers on education, healthcare, and government services. Housing in the area is expensive: the typical home value in the school's ZIP code is well above the state average, and rents are high enough that buying a home would cost substantially more per month than renting. Mortgage rates nationally have been around six and a half percent, and the national median household income sits just under eighty-four thousand dollars, though this school's neighborhood likely commands a higher local income. The high housing costs mean that families moving into the area for the school should budget carefully.
The district itself did not show any recent major changes or visible strategic initiatives from available public records, so a parent who wants to know about upcoming budget shifts, facility plans, or curriculum overhauls should ask directly at the district office.
Overall, Target Range 7-8 offers a small-school environment with academic results that are among the stronger ones in its county, especially in English and math. The science score is a soft spot worth investigating. The setting is a classic university town with outdoor recreation and downtown culture nearby, but the housing market is tight and pricey. For a family looking for a compact middle school that performs well relative to its peers and is part of a larger city with college-town amenities, this school fits. Those most concerned about science achievement or needing specific supports for diverse learners may want to dig deeper with the school.
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