For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 1,328 students in Sanders County, MT (there are 4 private schools, serving 54 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Sanders County, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Sanders County, MT are Plains Elementary School, Dixon 7-8 and Hot Springs High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Sanders County, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Montana public school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Sanders County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public school average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Sanders County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Plains Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
412 Rittenour
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 826-3642
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 826-3642
Grades: PK-6
| 235 students
Rank: #22.
Dixon 7-8
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
411 B Street
Dixon, MT 59831
(406) 246-3566
Dixon, MT 59831
(406) 246-3566
Grades: 7-8
| 9 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Hot Springs High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
301 Broadway
Hot Springs, MT 59845
(406) 741-2962
Hot Springs, MT 59845
(406) 741-2962
Grades: 9-12
| 51 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Noxon High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
300 Noxon Avenue
Noxon, MT 59853
(406) 847-2442
Noxon, MT 59853
(406) 847-2442
Grades: 9-12
| 69 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Trout Creek 7-8
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4 School Lane
Trout Creek, MT 59874
(406) 827-3629
Trout Creek, MT 59874
(406) 827-3629
Grades: 7-8
| 7 students
Rank: #66.
Plains 7-8
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
412 Rittenour
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 826-8600
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 826-8600
Grades: 7-8
| 59 students
Rank: #77.
Trout Creek School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4 School Lane
Trout Creek, MT 59874
(406) 827-3629
Trout Creek, MT 59874
(406) 827-3629
Grades: PK-6
| 24 students
Rank: #88.
Thompson Falls High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
601 Golf
Thompson Falls, MT 59873
(406) 827-3561
Thompson Falls, MT 59873
(406) 827-3561
Grades: 9-12
| 185 students
Rank: #99.
Hot Springs 7-8
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
301 Broadway
Hot Springs, MT 59845
(406) 741-2962
Hot Springs, MT 59845
(406) 741-2962
Grades: 7-8
| 18 students
Rank: #1010.
Thompson Falls 7-8
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
306 Haley
Thompson Falls, MT 59873
(406) 827-3593
Thompson Falls, MT 59873
(406) 827-3593
Grades: 7-8
| 68 students
Rank: #1111.
Thompson Falls Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
315 Columbia
Thompson Falls, MT 59873
(406) 827-3592
Thompson Falls, MT 59873
(406) 827-3592
Grades: PK-6
| 247 students
Rank: #1212.
Hot Springs School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
301 Broadway
Hot Springs, MT 59845
(406) 741-2014
Hot Springs, MT 59845
(406) 741-2014
Grades: PK-6
| 90 students
Rank: #1313.
Plains High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
412 Rittenour
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 826-8600
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 826-8600
Grades: 9-12
| 133 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Dixon Elementary School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
411 B Street
Dixon, MT 59831
(406) 246-3566
Dixon, MT 59831
(406) 246-3566
Grades: PK-6
| 35 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Noxon 7-8
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
300 Noxon Avenue
Noxon, MT 59853
(406) 847-2442
Noxon, MT 59853
(406) 847-2442
Grades: 7-8
| 20 students
Rank: #1616.
Noxon School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
300 Noxon Avenue
Noxon, MT 59853
(406) 847-2442
Noxon, MT 59853
(406) 847-2442
Grades: PK-6
| 78 students
Sanders County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
781 Montana Hwy 382
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 741-2837
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 741-2837
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
2 Schoolhouse Hill Rd
Paradise, MT 59856
(406) 826-3344
Paradise, MT 59856
(406) 826-3344
Grades: PK-8
| 7 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Sanders County, MT?
The top ranked public schools in Sanders County, MT include Plains Elementary School, Dixon 7-8 and Hot Springs High School.
How many public schools are located in Sanders County?
16 public schools are located in Sanders County.
What percentage of students in Sanders County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Sanders County are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Sanders County?
Sanders County public schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public schools average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Sanders County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Sanders County include: Thompson Falls Elementary School vs. Plains Elementary School
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