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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lake County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public schools serving 4,423 students in Lake County, MT (there are 8 private schools, serving 341 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Lake County, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lake County, MT are Charlo Elementary School, Linderman School and Charlo 6-8. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lake County, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Lake County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 56% 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 Lake County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Charlo Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
404 1st Ave West
Charlo, MT 59824
(406) 644-2206
Gr: PK-5 | 89 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #22.
Linderman School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
312 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6229
Gr: 2-4 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
Charlo 6-8
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
404 1st Ave West
Charlo, MT 59824
(406) 644-2206
Gr: 6-8 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Charlo High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
404 1st Ave West
Charlo, MT 59824
(406) 644-2206
Gr: 9-12 | 80 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Dayton School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
506 B Street
Dayton, MT 59914
(406) 849-5484
Gr: PK-6 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Valley View School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
42448 Valley View Road
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-2208
Gr: PK-6 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #77.
Polson High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1712 2nd Street West
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6351
Gr: 9-12 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #88.
St. Ignatius High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
76 3rd Avenue
Saint Ignatius, MT 59865
(406) 745-3811
Gr: 9-12 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
K William Harvey Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
221 4th Ave Nw
Ronan, MT 59864
(406) 676-3390
Gr: PK-4 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
St. Ignatius Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Blaine
Saint Ignatius, MT 59865
(406) 745-3811
Gr: PK-5 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1111.
Polson Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1602 2nd Street West
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6335
Gr: 5-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1212.
Ronan Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
35885 Round Butte Road W
Ronan, MT 59864
(406) 676-3390
Gr: 5-8 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1313.
Arlee High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
72220 Fyant Street
Arlee, MT 59821
(406) 726-3216
Gr: 9-12 | 135 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #14 - 1614. - 16.
Arlee Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
72220 Fyant Street
Arlee, MT 59821
(406) 726-3216
Gr: PK-6 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #14 - 1614. - 16.
Pablo Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
42080 4th Ave. E.
Ronan, MT 59864
(406) 676-3390
Gr: PK-4 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #14 - 1614. - 16.
Ronan High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
130 3rd Ave Nw
Ronan, MT 59864
(406) 676-3390
Gr: 9-12 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1717.
St. Ignatius Middle School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
76 3rd Avenue
Saint Ignatius, MT 59865
(406) 745-3811
Gr: 6-8 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1818.
Arlee 7-8
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
72220 Fyant Street
Arlee, MT 59821
(406) 726-3216
Gr: 7-8 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: n/an/a
Cherry Valley School
107 8th Avenue West
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6333
Gr: PK-1 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: n/an/a
Two Eagle River School
58020 Old Us Hwy 93
Pablo, MT 59855
(406) 675-0292
Gr: 8-12 | 136 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Lake County, MT?
The top-ranked public schools in Lake County, MT include Charlo Elementary School, Linderman School and Charlo 6-8.
How many public schools are located in Lake County?
20 public schools are located in Lake County.
What percentage of students in Lake County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Lake County are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lake County?
Lake County public schools minority enrollment is 56% 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 Lake County are often viewed compared to one another?

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