Smith Valley 7-8

www.smithvalleyschool.org

56 Students

Middle School 7th - 8th

School Overview

Smith Valley 7-8 is a specialized middle school located in Kalispell, Montana, serving students specifically in the seventh and eighth-grade levels. As part of a smaller school district, it focuses on providing a transitional academic environment that bridges the gap between elementary education and the more rigorous demands of high school. The school’s setting in the Flathead Valley allows it to maintain a community-centered atmosphere, often emphasizing smaller class sizes and personalized attention to help students navigate the social and academic challenges typical of early adolescence.

Because it operates as a dedicated 7-8 facility, the school is uniquely positioned to focus on the developmental needs of middle schoolers. The curriculum typically aims to prepare students for the local high school experience while fostering critical thinking and extracurricular engagement. By concentrating solely on these two grade levels, Smith Valley 7-8 creates a focused environment where faculty can prioritize the specific maturation and educational milestones required for success before students move on to their secondary education.

Total Students

3.8

Full-Time Teachers

14.8

Student/Teacher Ratio

35.7%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Smith Valley 7-8
Demographic	Student Count
White	53
Hispanic	1
Two or More	2

White
53 (94.6 %)
Two or More
2 (3.6 %)
Hispanic
1 (1.8 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Smith Valley Elem
Phone:	(406)756-4535
Website:	http://www.smithvalleyschool.org
Grade Range:	7th - 8th
Total Students:	56
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	3.8
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	14.8
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	17
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	3

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 7 27

Grade 8 29