For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public middle schools serving 398 students in Phillips County, MT.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Phillips County, MT are Saco 7-8, Whitewater 6-8 and Malta 6-7-8. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Phillips County, MT public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Montana public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 47% statewide average). Middle schools in Phillips County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Montana public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Montana public middle school average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Middle Schools in Phillips County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Saco 7-8
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
321 Hwy 243
Saco, MT 59261
(406) 527-3531
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:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1 Main Street
Whitewater, MT 59544
(406) 674-5417
Whitewater, MT 59544
(406) 674-5417
Gr: 6-8 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Rank: #33.
Malta 6-7-8
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1 High School Lane
Malta, MT 59538
(406) 654-2225
Malta, MT 59538
(406) 654-2225
Gr: 6-8 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
Malta K-5
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
706 South 3rd Avenue East
Malta, MT 59538
(406) 654-2320
Malta, MT 59538
(406) 654-2320
Gr: PK-8 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #55.
Dodson 7-8
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
124 First Ave W
Dodson, MT 59524
(406) 383-4362
Dodson, MT 59524
(406) 383-4362
Gr: 7-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: n/an/a
6888 Turner Cutacross Rd
Malta, MT 59538
(406) 674-5525
Malta, MT 59538
(406) 674-5525
Gr: PK-8 | 7 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Phillips County, MT?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Phillips County, MT include Saco 7-8, Whitewater 6-8 and Malta 6-7-8.
How many public middle schools are located in Phillips County?
6 public middle schools are located in Phillips County.
What is the racial composition of students in Phillips County?
Phillips County public middle schools minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Montana public middle schools average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.