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Best Public Schools in Phillips County (2026)

Best Phillips County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 667 students in Phillips County, MT.
The top-ranked public schools in Phillips County, MT are Saco 7-8, Whitewater 6-8 and Saco High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Phillips County, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Phillips County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 30% 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 Phillips County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Saco 7-8
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
321 Hwy 243
Saco, MT 59261
(406) 527-3531
Gr: 7-8 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Whitewater 6-8
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1 Main Street
Whitewater, MT 59544
(406) 674-5417
Gr: 6-8 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Rank: #33.
Saco High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
321 Hwy 243
Saco, MT 59261
(406) 527-3531
Gr: 9-12 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Saco School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
321 Hwy 243
Saco, MT 59261
(406) 527-3531
Gr: PK-6 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Whitewater School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1 Main Street
Whitewater, MT 59544
(406) 674-5417
Gr: PK-5 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #66.
Dodson High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
124 First Ave W
Dodson, MT 59524
(406) 383-4362
Gr: 9-12 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #77.
Malta 6-7-8
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1 High School Lane
Malta, MT 59538
(406) 654-2225
Gr: 6-8 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #88.
Malta K-5
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
706 South 3rd Avenue East
Malta, MT 59538
(406) 654-2320
Gr: PK-8 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #99.
Dodson School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
124 First Ave W
Dodson, MT 59524
(406) 383-4362
Gr: PK-6 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1010.
Malta High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1 High School Lane
Malta, MT 59538
(406) 654-2002
Gr: 9-12 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1111.
Dodson 7-8
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
124 First Ave W
Dodson, MT 59524
(406) 383-4362
Gr: 7-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: n/an/a
Loring Colony School
6888 Turner Cutacross Rd
Malta, MT 59538
(406) 674-5525
Gr: PK-8 | 7 students
Rank: n/an/a
Whitewater High School
1 Main Street
Whitewater, MT 59544
(406) 674-5417
Gr: 9-12 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 10%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Phillips County, MT?
The top-ranked public schools in Phillips County, MT include Saco 7-8, Whitewater 6-8 and Saco High School.
How many public schools are located in Phillips County?
13 public schools are located in Phillips County.
What is the racial composition of students in Phillips County?
Phillips County public schools minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Montana public schools average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Phillips County are often viewed compared to one another?

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