Montana is the #38 largest school system in the United States, serving 149,768 students across the 849 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 142 private schools, serving 12,251 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 36%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 46%.
The top-ranked public schools in Montana are Anderson 7-8, Gallatin Gateway 7-8, and Longfellow 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.
Student by Ethnicity
(MT) School Average
American Indian
10%
Asian
1%
Hispanic
6%
Black
1%
White
77%
Two or more races
5%
Top Ranked Public Schools in Montana (2025)
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: #22.
Gallatin Gateway 7-8
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-8
100 Mill Street
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
(406) 763-4415
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
(406) 763-4415
Rank: #33.
Longfellow School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
516 S Tracy
Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 522-6150
Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 522-6150
Rank: #44.
Jefferson School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1023 Broadway
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2060
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2060
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
West Glacier School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-6
160 Old Bridge Road
West Glacier, MT 59936
(406) 888-5312
West Glacier, MT 59936
(406) 888-5312
Rank: #77.
Rattlesnake Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 71% (Top 5%)
Reading: 76% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1220 Pineview Drive
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Rank: #88.
Morning Star School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%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: #9 - 109. - 10.
Amsterdam 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-6
6360 Camp Creek Road
Manhattan, MT 59741
(406) 282-7216
Manhattan, MT 59741
(406) 282-7216
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Anderson 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-6
10040 Cottonwood Road
Bozeman, MT 59718
(406) 587-1305
Bozeman, MT 59718
(406) 587-1305
Best Montana Public Schools by County (2025)
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, Gallatin Gateway 7-8, and Longfellow School.
How many public schools are located in Montana?
849 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: East Middle School vs. North Middle School, Lame Deer High School vs. Forsyth High School, North Middle School vs. East Middle School
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