Top 10 Best Montana Public Schools (2025)

Montana is the #38 largest school system in the United States, serving 149,705 students across the 843 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 138 private schools, serving 12,966 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.

Top Ranked Public Schools in Montana (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Anderson 7-8
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-8
10040 Cottonwood Road
Bozeman, MT 59718
(406) 587-1305
Rank: #22.
Gallatin Gateway 7-8
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 70-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-8
100 Mill Street
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
(406) 763-4415
Rank: #33.
Longfellow School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 70-74% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
516 S Tracy
Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 522-6150
Rank: #44.
Jefferson School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 70-74% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1023 Broadway
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2060
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Belt 7-8
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 70-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 7-8
1 Church Street
Belt, MT 59412
(406) 277-3351
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
West Glacier School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 70-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-6
160 Old Bridge Road
West Glacier, MT 59936
(406) 888-5312
Rank: #77.
Rattlesnake Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 71% (Top 5%)
Reading: 76% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1220 Pineview Drive
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Rank: #88.
Morning Star School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 72% (Top 1%)
Reading: 72% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
830 Arnold St
Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 522-6500
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Amsterdam School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
6360 Camp Creek Road
Manhattan, MT 59741
(406) 282-7216
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Anderson School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
10040 Cottonwood Road
Bozeman, MT 59718
(406) 587-1305

Overview

This State (MT)
# Schools
843 Schools
# Students
149,705 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
10,942 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1

Student By Grade

State Acdeamy

State Average (MT)
35%
46%
37%
86%
Eligible for Free Lunch
42%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.40
# American Indian Students
15,756 Students
% American Indian Students
10%
# Asian Students
944 Students
% Asian Students
1%
# Hispanic Students
9,249 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
# Black Students
1,034 Students
% Black Students
1%
# White Students
114,928 Students
% White Students
77%
# Hawaiian Students
284 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
# Two or more races Students
7,508 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
All Ethnic Groups

State Revenue and Spending

This State (MT)
Total Revenue (22-23)
$2,285 MM
Spending (22-23)
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student (22-23)
$15,263
Spending / Student (22-23)
$15,352

Best Montana Public Schools by County (2025)

County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
16
2,611
91%
17
1,324
71%
19
1,354
8%
44
11,532
26%
12
1,590
10%
10
1,209
12%
23
1,649
10%
49
15,208
11%
49
14,633
15%
18
2,725
85%
17
3,002
52%
20
4,423
56%
14
2,455
13%
47
14,152
16%
15
1,713
13%
25
5,727
13%
18
1,977
16%
15
1,533
66%
16
1,328
17%
18
1,064
10%
10
708
20%
16
1,115
26%

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?
843 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?

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