Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438
Best Public Schools in Sanders County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Sanders County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 1,328 students in Sanders County, MT (there are 5 private schools, serving 93 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Sanders County, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Sanders County, MT are Plains Elementary School, Dixon 7-8 and Hot Springs High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Sanders 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 43% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Sanders County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public school average of 24% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Schools in Sanders County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Plains Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
412 Rittenour
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 826-3642
Gr: PK-6 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Dixon 7-8
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
411 B Street
Dixon, MT 59831
(406) 246-3566
Gr: 7-8 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Hot Springs High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
301 Broadway
Hot Springs, MT 59845
(406) 741-2962
Gr: 9-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Noxon High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
300 Noxon Avenue
Noxon, MT 59853
(406) 847-2442
Gr: 9-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Trout Creek 7-8
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4 School Lane
Trout Creek, MT 59874
(406) 827-3629
Gr: 7-8 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #66.
Thompson Falls High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
601 Golf
Thompson Falls, MT 59873
(406) 827-3561
Gr: 9-12 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Plains 7-8
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
412 Rittenour
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 826-8600
Gr: 7-8 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #88.
Thompson Falls Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
315 Columbia
Thompson Falls, MT 59873
(406) 827-3592
Gr: PK-6 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Hot Springs 7-8
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Broadway
Hot Springs, MT 59845
(406) 741-2962
Gr: 7-8 | 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Trout Creek School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4 School Lane
Trout Creek, MT 59874
(406) 827-3629
Gr: PK-6 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1111.
Thompson Falls 7-8
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
306 Haley
Thompson Falls, MT 59873
(406) 827-3593
Gr: 7-8 | 68 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1212.
Dixon Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
411 B Street
Dixon, MT 59831
(406) 246-3566
Gr: PK-6 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1313.
Plains High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
412 Rittenour
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 826-8600
Gr: 9-12 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1414.
Hot Springs School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Broadway
Hot Springs, MT 59845
(406) 741-2014
Gr: PK-6 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1515.
Noxon 7-8
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Noxon Avenue
Noxon, MT 59853
(406) 847-2442
Gr: 7-8 | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1616.
Noxon School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Noxon Avenue
Noxon, MT 59853
(406) 847-2442
Gr: PK-6 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Sanders County, MT?
The top-ranked public schools in Sanders County, MT include Plains Elementary School, Dixon 7-8 and Hot Springs High School.
How many public schools are located in Sanders County?
16 public schools are located in Sanders County.
What percentage of students in Sanders County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Sanders County are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Sanders County?
Sanders County public schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public schools average of 24% (majority American Indian).

Recent Articles

Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
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
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
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.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (MT):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Montana Top-Ranked Public Schools
Montana Top-Ranked Public Schools
 School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
A Relevant History of Public Education in the United States
A Relevant History of Public Education in the United States
 Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
 The History of Public Schools in the United States
The History of Public Schools in the United States

More Articles

Public School Policies
Evaluating Public Schools
Public School Jobs
Local School Topics
About Public Schools