For the 2024-25 school year, there are 44 public schools serving 14,350 students in Missoula County, MT (there are 16 private schools, serving 1,739 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Missoula County, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%). Missoula County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Montana.
The top ranked public schools in Missoula County, MT are Rattlesnake Elementary School, Jeannette Rankin Elementary School and Paxson School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Missoula County, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Montana public school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Missoula County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public school average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Missoula County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Rattlesnake Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1220 Pineview Drive
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Grades: PK-5
| 445 students
Rank: #22.
Jeannette Rankin Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5150 Bigfork Rd.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4010
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4010
Grades: PK-5
| 461 students
Rank: #33.
Paxson School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
101 Evans
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4055
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4055
Grades: PK-5
| 463 students
Rank: #44.
Chief Charlo School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5600 Longview Dr
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4005
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4005
Grades: PK-5
| 429 students
Rank: #55.
Lewis & Clark School
Magnet School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2901 Park
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4035
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4035
Grades: PK-5
| 440 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Hawthorne School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
550 Hiberta St.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4025
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4025
Grades: PK-5
| 387 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Hellgate Elementary Lower Grades
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2365 Flynn Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2160
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2160
Grades: 2-3
| 338 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Russell School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3216 Russell Street
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4080
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4080
Grades: PK-5
| 367 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Target Range 7-8
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4095 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Grades: 7-8
| 137 students
Rank: #1010.
Hellgate Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2375 Flynn Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Grades: 7-8
| 329 students
Rank: #1111.
Potomac 7-8
Magnet School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
29750 Potomac Road
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5581
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5581
Grades: 7-8
| 14 students
Rank: #1212.
Swan Valley 7-8
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6423 Highway 83
Condon, MT 59826
(406) 754-2320
Condon, MT 59826
(406) 754-2320
Grades: 7-8
| 4 students
Rank: #1313.
Sunset School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5024 Sunset Hill Road
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5542
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5542
Grades: PK-8
| 11 students
Rank: #1414.
Desmet School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6355 Padre Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Grades: PK-5
| 88 students
Rank: #1515.
Clinton 7-8
Magnet School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
20397e Mullan Rd
Clinton, MT 59825
(406) 825-3113
Clinton, MT 59825
(406) 825-3113
Grades: 7-8
| 30 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Swan Valley School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6423 Highway 83
Condon, MT 59826
(406) 754-2320
Condon, MT 59826
(406) 754-2320
Grades: PK-6
| 29 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Woodman 7-8
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
18470 Highway 12 West
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6770
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6770
Grades: 7-8
| 8 students
Rank: #1818.
Target Range School
Magnet School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4095 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Grades: PK-6
| 437 students
Rank: #1919.
Washington Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
645 West Central Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4085
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4085
Grades: 6-8
| 663 students
Rank: #2020.
Frenchtown Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
16495 Main Street
Frenchtown, MT 59834
(406) 626-2620
Frenchtown, MT 59834
(406) 626-2620
Grades: PK-3
| 442 students
Rank: #2121.
Hellgate El Intermediate
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2355 Flynn Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2160
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2160
Grades: 4-6
| 520 students
Rank: #2222.
Meadow Hill Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4210 Reserve
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4045
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4045
Grades: 6-8
| 472 students
Rank: #2323.
Seeley Lake 7-8
Magnet School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
200 School Lane
Seeley Lake, MT 59868
(406) 677-2265
Seeley Lake, MT 59868
(406) 677-2265
Grades: 7-8
| 36 students
Rank: #2424.
Sentinel High School
Magnet School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
901 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2403
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2403
Grades: 9-12
| 1,378 students
Rank: #2525.
Hellgate High School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
925 Gerald Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2402
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2402
Grades: 9-12
| 1,304 students
Rank: #2626.
Frenchtown Intermediate School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
16495 Main Street
Frenchtown, MT 59834
(406) 626-2622
Frenchtown, MT 59834
(406) 626-2622
Grades: 4-5
| 196 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Clinton School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
20397 E Mullan Rd
Clinton, MT 59825
(406) 825-3113
Clinton, MT 59825
(406) 825-3113
Grades: PK-6
| 184 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Lowell School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1215 Phillips St
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4040
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4040
Grades: PK-5
| 285 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Potomac School
Magnet School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
29750 Potomac Road
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5581
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5581
Grades: PK-6
| 91 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Woodman School
Magnet School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
18470 Highway 12 West
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6770
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6770
Grades: PK-6
| 47 students
Rank: #3131.
Frenchtown 6-8
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
17620 Frontage Road
Frenchtown, MT 59834
(406) 626-2650
Frenchtown, MT 59834
(406) 626-2650
Grades: 6-8
| 330 students
Rank: #3232.
Lolo Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
11395 Highway 93 South
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6141
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6141
Grades: 5-8
| 217 students
Rank: #3333.
Lolo Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
11395 Highway 93 South
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6686
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6686
Grades: PK-4
| 290 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Big Sky High School
Magnet School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3100 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2401
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2401
Grades: 9-12
| 1,186 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Franklin School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1910 S. 11th St
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4020
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4020
Grades: PK-5
| 289 students
Show 9 more public schools in Missoula County, MT (out of 44 total schools)
Loading...
Missoula County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
215 South 6th West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Grades: K-3
| 232 students
Powell Ranger Station
Lolo, MT 59847
(208) 942-3161
Lolo, MT 59847
(208) 942-3161
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
215 South 6th West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4065
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4065
Grades: 4-5
| 133 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Missoula County, MT?
The top ranked public schools in Missoula County, MT include Rattlesnake Elementary School, Jeannette Rankin Elementary School and Paxson School. Missoula County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Montana.
How many public schools are located in Missoula County?
44 public schools are located in Missoula County.
What percentage of students in Missoula County go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Missoula County are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Missoula County?
Missoula County public schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public schools average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Missoula County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Missoula County include: Frenchtown 6-8 vs. Hellgate Middle School, Hellgate High School vs. Sentinel High School, Sentinel High School vs. Hellgate High School
Recent Articles
Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative?
This article examines the ongoing debate about drug testing for teachers in public schools. It discusses the rationale behind such policies, privacy concerns, cost implications, and the relatively low prevalence of drug use among educators. The piece also explores future considerations for drug testing policies in educational settings.
Head in the Clouds: Why Public Schools are Embracing Cloud Computing
Explore how public schools are integrating cloud computing into their educational frameworks. Understand the advantages such as enhanced collaboration, cost savings, and accessibility, as well as the challenges schools face in adopting this technology.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
