For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 1,878 students in Jefferson County, MT. Jefferson County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Montana.
The top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, MT are Cardwell School, Clancy School and Montana City School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jefferson County, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Jefferson County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public school average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Jefferson County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cardwell School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
80 Highway 359
Cardwell, MT 59721
(406) 287-3321
Cardwell, MT 59721
(406) 287-3321
Gr: PK-8 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Clancy School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
18 Clancy Creek Rd
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 933-5531
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 933-5531
Gr: PK-6 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Montana City School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
11 Mcclellan Creek Road
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 442-6779
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 442-6779
Gr: PK-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
Clancy 7-8
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
18 Clancy Creek Road
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 933-5531
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 933-5531
Gr: 7-8 | 89 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #55.
Basin School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
30 North Quartz
Basin, MT 59631
(406) 225-3211
Basin, MT 59631
(406) 225-3211
Gr: PK-6 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #66.
Montana City Middle School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
11 Mcclellan Creek Road
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 442-6779
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 442-6779
Gr: 6-8 | 158 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
Boulder Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
205 So Washington
Boulder, MT 59632
(406) 225-3316
Boulder, MT 59632
(406) 225-3316
Gr: PK-6 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #88.
Boulder 7-8
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
205 S Washington
Boulder, MT 59632
(406) 225-3316
Boulder, MT 59632
(406) 225-3316
Gr: 7-8 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #99.
Whitehall Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
401 N Division
Whitehall, MT 59759
(406) 287-3882
Whitehall, MT 59759
(406) 287-3882
Gr: PK-5 | 192 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1010.
Jefferson High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
312 South Main
Boulder, MT 59632
(406) 225-3317
Boulder, MT 59632
(406) 225-3317
Gr: 9-12 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1111.
Whitehall High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1 W Yellowstone
Whitehall, MT 59759
(406) 287-3862
Whitehall, MT 59759
(406) 287-3862
Gr: 9-12 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1212.
Whitehall 6-8
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
401 N Division
Whitehall, MT 59759
(406) 287-3882
Whitehall, MT 59759
(406) 287-3882
Gr: 6-8 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, MT?
The top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, MT include Cardwell School, Clancy School and Montana City School. Jefferson County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Montana.
How many public schools are located in Jefferson County?
12 public schools are located in Jefferson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public schools average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Jefferson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Jefferson County include: Whitehall Elementary School vs. Cardwell School, Cardwell School vs. Whitehall Elementary School, Jefferson High School vs. Whitehall High School
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