Top 10 Best Lake County Public Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 20 public schools serving 4,423 students in Lake County, MT (there are 7 private schools, serving 438 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Lake County, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Lake County, MT are Charlo Elementary School, Linderman School and Charlo 6-8. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lake County, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the Montana public school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Lake County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Montana public school average of 23% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Schools in Lake County (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Charlo Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
404 1st Ave West
Charlo, MT 59824
(406) 644-2206
Grades: PK-5
| 99 students
Rank: #22.
Linderman School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
312 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6229
Grades: 2-4
| 361 students
Rank: #33.
Charlo 6-8
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
404 1st Ave West
Charlo, MT 59824
(406) 644-2206
Grades: 6-8
| 59 students
Rank: #44.
Dayton School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
506 B Street
Dayton, MT 59914
(406) 849-5484
Grades: PK-6
| 49 students
Rank: #55.
Polson High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1712 2nd Street West
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6351
Grades: 9-12
| 547 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Charlo High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
404 1st Ave West
Charlo, MT 59824
(406) 644-2206
Grades: 9-12
| 82 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Valley View School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
42448 Valley View Road
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-2208
Grades: PK-6
| 33 students
Rank: #88.
Ronan Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
35885 Round Butte Road W
Ronan, MT 59864
(406) 676-3390
Grades: 5-8
| 435 students
Rank: #99.
Polson Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1602 2nd Street West
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6335
Grades: 5-8
| 495 students
Rank: #1010.
St. Ignatius Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Blaine
Saint Ignatius, MT 59865
(406) 745-3811
Grades: PK-5
| 217 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Arlee High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
72220 Fyant Street
Arlee, MT 59821
(406) 726-3216
Grades: 9-12
| 140 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
St. Ignatius High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
76 3rd Avenue
Saint Ignatius, MT 59865
(406) 745-3811
Grades: 9-12
| 135 students
Rank: #13 - 1513. - 15.
Arlee Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
72220 Fyant Street
Arlee, MT 59821
(406) 726-3216
Grades: PK-6
| 193 students
Rank: #13 - 1513. - 15.
K William Harvey Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
221 4th Ave Nw
Ronan, MT 59864
(406) 676-3390
Grades: PK-4
| 401 students
Rank: #13 - 1513. - 15.
Pablo Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
42080 4th Ave. E.
Ronan, MT 59864
(406) 676-3390
Grades: PK-4
| 236 students
Rank: #1616.
Ronan High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
130 3rd Ave Nw
Ronan, MT 59864
(406) 676-3390
Grades: 9-12
| 373 students
Rank: #1717.
St. Ignatius Middle School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
76 3rd Avenue
Saint Ignatius, MT 59865
(406) 745-3811
Grades: 6-8
| 110 students
Rank: #1818.
Arlee 7-8
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
72220 Fyant Street
Arlee, MT 59821
(406) 726-3216
Grades: 7-8
| 54 students
Rank: n/an/a
Cherry Valley School
107 8th Avenue West
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6333
Grades: PK-1
| 268 students
Rank: n/an/a
58020 Old Us Hwy 93
Pablo, MT 59855
(406) 675-0292
Grades: 8-12
| 136 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Lake County, MT

Lake County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
1602 2nd Street West
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6335
Grades: 5-6
| 220 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Lake County, MT?
The top ranked public schools in Lake County, MT include Charlo Elementary School, Linderman School and Charlo 6-8.
How many public schools are located in Lake County?
20 public schools are located in Lake County.
What percentage of students in Lake County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Lake County are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lake County?
Lake County public schools minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Montana public schools average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Lake County are often viewed compared to one another?

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