For the 2025 school year, there are 27 public schools serving 11,336 students in Missoula, MT (there are 16 private schools, serving 1,739 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Missoula, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%). Missoula has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Montana.
The top ranked public schools in Missoula, 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, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Montana public school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Missoula have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% 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, MT (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Rattlesnake Elementary 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
| 407 students
Rank: #22.
Jeannette Rankin Elementary 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
| 463 students
Rank: #33.
Paxson 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
| 418 students
Rank: #44.
Chief Charlo 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
| 417 students
Rank: #55.
Lewis & Clark 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
| 423 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Hawthorne 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
| 377 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Hellgate Elementary Lower Grades
(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
| 343 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Russell 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
| 385 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Target Range 7-8
(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
| 129 students
Rank: #1010.
Hellgate Middle 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
| 300 students
Rank: #1111.
Desmet 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
| 92 students
Rank: #1212.
Target Range 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
| 415 students
Rank: #1313.
Washington Middle 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
| 682 students
Rank: #1414.
Hellgate El Intermediate
(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
| 525 students
Rank: #1515.
Meadow Hill Middle 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
| 408 students
Rank: #1616.
Sentinel High 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
| 1,386 students
Rank: #1717.
Hellgate High 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
| 1,312 students
Rank: #1818.
Lowell 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
| 325 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Big Sky High 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
| 1,227 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Franklin 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
| 282 students
Rank: #2121.
Porter Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2510 Central Avenue
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4060
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4060
Grades: 6-8
| 590 students
Rank: #2222.
Desmet 6-8
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6355 Padre Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Grades: 6-8
| 37 students
Rank: #2323.
Seeley-swan High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
456 Airport Road
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 677-2224
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 677-2224
Grades: 9-12
| 101 students
Rank: n/an/a
2365 Flynne Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Grades: PK-1
| 292 students
Rank: n/an/a
909 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2400
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2400
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
909 South Ave West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2400
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2400
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
32 Campus Drive Room 315
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 203-1812
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 203-1812
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Missoula, Montana 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
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, MT?
The top ranked public schools in Missoula, MT include Rattlesnake Elementary School, Jeannette Rankin Elementary School and Paxson School. Missoula has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Montana.
How many public schools are located in Missoula?
27 public schools are located in Missoula.
What percentage of students in Missoula go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Missoula are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Missoula?
Missoula 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 are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Missoula include: Hellgate High School vs. Sentinel High School, Sentinel High School vs. Hellgate High School, Big Sky High School vs. Sentinel High School
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