Montana is the #38 largest school system in the United States, serving 147,349 students across the 837 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 133 private schools, serving 12,707 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 37%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 46%.
The top-ranked public schools in Montana are Anderson 7-8, Amsterdam School, and Anderson School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 24%, with the majority being American Indian and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Montana (2026-27)
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
Amsterdam School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
Anderson School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
10040 Cottonwood Road
Bozeman, MT 59718
(406) 587-1305
Bozeman, MT 59718
(406) 587-1305
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
Morning Star School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%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: #66.
Longfellow School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
516 S Tracy
Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 522-6150
Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 522-6150
Rank: #77.
Jefferson 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-5
1023 Broadway
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2060
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2060
Rank: #8 - 128. - 12.
Gardiner 7-8
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 7-8
510 Stone Street
Gardiner, MT 59030
(406) 848-7563
Gardiner, MT 59030
(406) 848-7563
Rank: #8 - 128. - 12.
Greenfield 7-8
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 7-8
590 Hwy 431
Fairfield, MT 59436
(406) 467-2433
Fairfield, MT 59436
(406) 467-2433
Rank: #8 - 128. - 12.
Lamotte 6-8
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: 6-8
841 Bear Canyon Road
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 586-2838
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 586-2838
Overview
This State (MT)
US
# Schools
837 Schools
100,275 Schools
# Students
147,349 Students
49,273,202 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
10,712 Teachers
3,176,873 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (MT)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
43%
Graduation Rate
85.5%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
50%
50%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.40
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
15,217 Students
465,608 Students
% American Indian Students
10%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
1,008 Students
2,805,329 Students
% Asian Students
1%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
9,741 Students
14,933,117 Students
% Hispanic Students
7%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
1,015 Students
7,261,590 Students
% Black Students
1%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
112,448 Students
20,989,063 Students
% White Students
76%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
257 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
7,663 Students
2,585,768 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (MT)
Statewide Total Revenue
$2,442 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$2,389 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$16,573
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$16,214
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Montana Public Schools by County (2026-27)
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, Amsterdam School, and Anderson School.
How many public schools are located in Montana?
837 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 24%, 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: Rocky Boy School vs. Box Elder School, Lame Deer High School vs. Forsyth High School, East Middle School vs. North Middle School
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