Top Rankings
Chester-Joplin-Inverness El School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Montana for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 2 public middle schools serving 43 students in Chester-Joplin-Inverness El School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public middle schools in Montana.
Public Middle Schools in Chester-Joplin-Inverness El School District have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Montana public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 64% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public middle school average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
4 Schools
328 Schools
# Students
177 Students
34,458 Students
# Teachers
18 Teachers
2,561 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
10:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Chester-Joplin-Inverness El School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 333 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
Overall District Rank
#42 out of 350 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
37%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
46%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
37%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.13
0.39
% American Indian
1%
11%
% Asian
1%
n/a
% Hispanic
1%
6%
% Black
2%
1%
% White
93%
77%
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,684 is higher than the state median of $15,270. The school district revenue/student has declined by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,785 is higher than the state median of $15,359. The school district spending/student has declined by 14% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$3 MM
$2,285 MM
Spending
$3 MM
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,684
$15,270
Spending / Student
$15,785
$15,359
Best Chester-Joplin-Inverness El School District Public Middle Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Chester-joplin-inverness 7-8
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
101 School Street
Chester, MT 59522
(406) 759-5108
Chester, MT 59522
(406) 759-5108
Gr: 7-8 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Sage Creek Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
494 South 1346 East
Chester, MT 59522
(406) 759-5477
Chester, MT 59522
(406) 759-5477
Gr: PK-8 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Recent Articles
How Public Schools Support Students on Free / Reduced-Lunch Programs
Explore how U.S. public schools support students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch through nutrition, academic, and wraparound services in 2025.
Hidden Costs of Public Schools: Fees, Supplies & Extras
Explore the hidden costs in public schools鈥攆ees, supplies, extracurriculars鈥攁nd how parents can plan for them in 2025.
Public School Funding 2025: What Families Should Know
Essential insights on public school funding in 2025鈥攈ow it works, what鈥檚 changing, and what families should know to stay ahead.
