Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0Big Timber’s public schools outscore 74% of Montana districts
On the state math tests, 43% of Big Timber’s students scored proficient, above the Montana average (35%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Big Timber, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Montana, not nationally.
From Montana state tests taken in spring 2022, when 99% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Big Timber’s schools, in brief
Big Timber runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
Big Timber School (PK–6) and Big Timber 7-8 (7–8) are Big Timber’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Sweet Grass County High School District: Sweet Grass Co High Schl. The high school’s own results earn a C. See the path ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 43% across both districts in spring 2022, against 46% and 35% statewide. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Big Timber Elementary spends $11,351 per student and Sweet Grass County High $21,796, against $13,570 across Montana (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Big Timber’s grade
B+: better than 74% of Montana school districts. Test scores are above the Montana average; there is no graduation rate to add.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Big Timber, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Big Timber
Big Timber School
Grades PK–6 · 222 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Big Timber
Big Timber School
Grades PK–6 · 222 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Big Timber
Big Timber School
Grades PK–6 · 222 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Big Timber
Big Timber School
Grades PK–6 · 222 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Big Timber
Big Timber School
Grades PK–6 · 222 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Big Timber
Big Timber School
Grades PK–6 · 222 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Big Timber
Big Timber School
Grades PK–6 · 222 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Big Timber
Big Timber School
Grades PK–6 · 222 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Big Timber
Big Timber 7-8
Grades 7–8 · 69 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Big Timber
Big Timber 7-8
Grades 7–8 · 69 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Big Timber
Sweet Grass Co High Schl
Grades 9–12 · 161 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Big Timber
Sweet Grass Co High Schl
Grades 9–12 · 161 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Big Timber
Sweet Grass Co High Schl
Grades 9–12 · 161 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Big Timber
Sweet Grass Co High Schl
Grades 9–12 · 161 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Big Timber runs its own schools through grade 8 (Big Timber Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Sweet Grass County High School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Big Timber
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Big Timber vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Montana towns that share Big Timber’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Big Timber | B+ | Big Timber Elementary PK–8 · Sweet Grass County High 9–12 |
Every school in Big Timber
3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Montana’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Big Timber’s schools
Are Big Timber’s schools good?
By Montana’s own tests, yes: the public schools Big Timber children attend outscore 74% of Montana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Big Timber in?
Two districts: Big Timber Elementary School District runs grades PK–8, and Sweet Grass County High School District runs grades 9–12.
Where do Big Timber kids go to high school?
Sweet Grass Co High Schl, with 161 students; its own test results earn a C.
How much does Big Timber spend per student?
$11,351 in Big Timber Elementary School District and $21,796 in Sweet Grass County High School District (FY2024), against $13,570 across Montana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Big Timber families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Big Timber → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Montana. Stars are from neighbors.