Montana is the #38 largest school system in the United States, serving 149,233 students across the 839 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 133 private schools, serving 12,738 students). 92% of all K-12 students in Montana attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Montana is 37%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 46%.
The top-ranked public schools in Montana are Anderson 7-8, Amsterdam School, and Anderson School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 23%, with the majority being American Indian and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Montana (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Anderson 7-8
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-8
10040 Cottonwood Road
Bozeman, MT 59718
(406) 587-1305
Bozeman, MT 59718
(406) 587-1305
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Amsterdam School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
6360 Camp Creek Road
Manhattan, MT 59741
(406) 282-7216
Manhattan, MT 59741
(406) 282-7216
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Anderson School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
10040 Cottonwood Road
Bozeman, MT 59718
(406) 587-1305
Bozeman, MT 59718
(406) 587-1305
Rank: #44.
Belt 7-8
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 7-8
1 Church Street
Belt, MT 59412
(406) 277-3351
Belt, MT 59412
(406) 277-3351
Rank: #55.
Morning Star School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 72% (Top 1%)
Reading: 72% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
830 Arnold St
Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 522-6500
Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 522-6500
Rank: #66.
Longfellow School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
516 S Tracy
Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 522-6150
Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 522-6150
Rank: #77.
Jefferson School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1023 Broadway
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2060
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2060
Rank: #8 - 128. - 12.
Gardiner 7-8
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 7-8
510 Stone Street
Gardiner, MT 59030
(406) 848-7563
Gardiner, MT 59030
(406) 848-7563
Rank: #8 - 128. - 12.
Greenfield 7-8
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 7-8
590 Hwy 431
Fairfield, MT 59436
(406) 467-2433
Fairfield, MT 59436
(406) 467-2433
Rank: #8 - 128. - 12.
Lamotte 6-8
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 6-8
841 Bear Canyon Road
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 586-2838
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 586-2838
Overview
This State (MT)
US
# Schools
839 Schools
100,796 Schools
# Students
149,233 Students
49,495,628 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
10,905 Teachers
3,241,130 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (MT)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
43%
Graduation Rate
86%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
42%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.40
0.70
# American Indian Students
15,753 Students
477,342 Students
% American Indian Students
10%
1%
# Asian Students
942 Students
2,755,586 Students
% Asian Students
1%
6%
# Hispanic Students
9,223 Students
14,721,065 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
30%
# Black Students
1,034 Students
7,323,690 Students
% Black Students
1%
15%
# White Students
114,496 Students
21,491,396 Students
% White Students
77%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
284 Students
185,311 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
7,499 Students
2,514,807 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (MT)
Total Revenue (23-24)
$2,285 MM
Spending (23-24)
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student (23-24)
$15,312
Spending / Student (23-24)
$15,401
Best Montana Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Heights (9 schools), West End (4 schools), Southwest Corridor (3 schools), Central Terry (2 schools), North Elevation (2 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Montana?
The top-ranked public schools in Montana include Anderson 7-8, Amsterdam School, and Anderson School.
How many public schools are located in Montana?
839 public schools are located in Montana.
What percentage of students in Montana go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Montana attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Montana?
Minority enrollment in Montana is 23%, with the majority being American Indian.
Which public schools in Montana are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Montana include: Rocky Boy School vs. Box Elder School, Lame Deer High School vs. Forsyth High School, East Middle School vs. North Middle School
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