Redwater 7-8

Redwater 7-8 is a minimally staffed 6-8 campus in Circle, Montana, part of Circle Elem. The school instructs 31 students in grades 7 through 8. That puts it 78% leaner than the typical public school in Montana, which averages around 139 students.

Redwater 7-8 is one of 3 schools operated by Circle Elem, a district that instructs 136 students overall.

On demographics, Redwater 7-8 shows that nearly all students (100%) are White.

On the income-and-resources front, Redwater 7-8 logs 3 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 11.3:1. That tracks the state average closely. Around 52% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. That share is north of McCone County's rate of about 38%.

In the surrounding community, McCone County reports that median household earnings sit near $69,375, roughly 23% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 4%. Across McCone County's 5 public schools (combined enrollment of about 253 students), Redwater 7-8 is one campus in the mix.

Nearest neighbor: Bo Peep School, around 0.0 miles off. 3 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

Redwater 7-8 operates from a low-density location.

Over the past 7-year window. Over the past 7-year window, the student count declined 9%: 34 students in 2018 compared to 31 in 2025. Class-load math has rose: from 10.2:1 in 2018 to 11.3:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around fundraisers, lost-and-found posts, and report-card season. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.