For the 2026-27 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 877 students in Pondera County, MT (there are 1 private school, serving 45 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Pondera County, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Pondera County, MT are Utterback 4-6, Heart Butte High School and Utterback 7-8. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pondera County, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Pondera County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Montana public school average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Pondera County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Utterback 4-6
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
24 2nd Avenue Southwest
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-3227
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-3227
Gr: 4-6 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
Heart Butte High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1 School Rd
Heart Butte, MT 59448
(406) 338-3344
Heart Butte, MT 59448
(406) 338-3344
Gr: 9-12 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #33.
Utterback 7-8
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
24 2nd Avenue Southwest
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-3227
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-3227
Gr: 7-8 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Kingsbury Colony Attn Center
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
804 4th Street
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3314
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3314
Gr: PK-8 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Valier High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
804 4th Street
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3613
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3613
Gr: 9-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #66.
Meadowlark School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
17 3rd Avenue Southwest
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-5620
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-5620
Gr: PK-3 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #77.
Valier 7-8
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
723 4th Street
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3314
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3314
Gr: 7-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #88.
Valier School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
723 4th Street
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3314
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3314
Gr: PK-6 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #99.
Conrad High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
308 South Illinois St
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-3285
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-3285
Gr: 9-12 | 126 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Miami School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
400 New Miami Colony Lane
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 472-3325
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 472-3325
Gr: PK-8 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Rank: #1111.
Heart Butte 6-8
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1 School Rd
Heart Butte, MT 59448
(406) 338-2200
Heart Butte, MT 59448
(406) 338-2200
Gr: 6-8 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: #1212.
Heart Butte Elementary School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1 School Road
Heart Butte, MT 59448
(406) 338-2200
Heart Butte, MT 59448
(406) 338-2200
Gr: PK-6 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Pondera County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Box 166
Brady, MT 59416
(406) 753-2522
Brady, MT 59416
(406) 753-2522
Gr: 7-8 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Box 166
Brady, MT 59416
(406) 753-2522
Brady, MT 59416
(406) 753-2522
Gr: 9-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Box 166
Brady, MT 59416
(406) 753-2522
Brady, MT 59416
(406) 753-2522
Gr: PK-6 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
319 Columbus Loop
Dupuyer, MT 59432
(406) 472-3297
Dupuyer, MT 59432
(406) 472-3297
Gr: PK-8 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Box 259
Heart Butte, MT 59448
(406) 338-2200
Heart Butte, MT 59448
(406) 338-2200
Gr: 7-8 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
220 North Wisconsin St
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 271-5251
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 271-5251
Gr: 3-5 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Pondera County, MT?
The top-ranked public schools in Pondera County, MT include Utterback 4-6, Heart Butte High School and Utterback 7-8.
How many public schools are located in Pondera County?
12 public schools are located in Pondera County.
What percentage of students in Pondera County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Pondera County are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pondera County?
Pondera County public schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Montana public schools average of 24% (majority American Indian).
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