For the 2025 school year, there are 47 public schools serving 14,152 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 (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.
Potomac 7-8
(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
| 15 students
Rank: #1212.
Swan Valley 7-8
(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
| 3 students
Rank: #1313.
Sunset 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
(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: #1515.
Clinton 7-8
(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
| 37 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Swan Valley 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
| 26 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Woodman 7-8
(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
| 6 students
Rank: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
Frenchtown Elementary 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
| 439 students
Rank: #2121.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
Seeley Lake 7-8
(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
| 35 students
Rank: #2424.
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: #2525.
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: #2626.
Frenchtown Intermediate 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
| 174 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Clinton 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
| 188 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
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: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Potomac 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
| 81 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Woodman 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
| 29 students
Rank: #3131.
Frenchtown 6-8
(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
| 319 students
Rank: #3232.
Lolo Middle 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
(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
| 306 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
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: #34 - 3534. - 35.
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
Show 12 more public schools in Missoula County, MT (out of 47 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?
47 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
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
