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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Missoula County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 47 public schools serving 14,152 students in Missoula County, MT (there are 15 private schools, serving 1,741 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Missoula County, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%). Missoula County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Montana.
The top-ranked public schools in Missoula County, MT are Rattlesnake Elementary School, Jeannette Rankin Elementary School and Chief Charlo School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Missoula County, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Missoula County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public school average of 24% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Schools in Missoula County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rattlesnake Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1220 Pineview Drive
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Gr: PK-5 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Jeannette Rankin Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5150 Bigfork Rd.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4010
Gr: PK-5 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
Chief Charlo School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5600 Longview Dr
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4005
Gr: PK-5 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Paxson School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
101 Evans
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4055
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #55.
Potomac Middle School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
29750 Potomac Road
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5581
Gr: 6-8 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #66.
Lewis & Clark School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2901 Park
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4035
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #77.
Target Range 7-8
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4095 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Gr: 7-8 | 134 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Washington Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
645 West Central Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4085
Gr: 6-8 | 669 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #9 - 119. - 11.
Hawthorne School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
550 Hiberta St.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4025
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #9 - 119. - 11.
Hellgate Elementary Lower Grades
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2365 Flynn Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2160
Gr: 2-3 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #9 - 119. - 11.
Russell School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3216 Russell Street
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4080
Gr: PK-5 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1212.
Swan Valley 7-8
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6423 Highway 83
Condon, MT 59826
(406) 754-2320
Gr: 7-8 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Rank: #1313.
Clinton 7-8
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
20397e Mullan Rd
Clinton, MT 59825
(406) 825-3113
Gr: 7-8 | 51 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1414.
Sunset School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5024 Sunset Hill Road
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5542
Gr: PK-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: #1515.
Desmet School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6355 Padre Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Gr: PK-5 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1616.
Hellgate Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2375 Flynn Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Gr: 7-8 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1717.
Woodman Middle School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
18470 Highway 12 West
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6770
Gr: 6-8 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1818.
Potomac School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
29750 Potomac Road
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5581
Gr: PK-5 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1919.
Target Range School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4095 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Gr: PK-6 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #2020.
Meadow Hill Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4210 Reserve
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4045
Gr: 6-8 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #2121.
Hellgate High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
925 Gerald Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2402
Gr: 9-12 | 1,262 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2222.
Swan Valley School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6423 Highway 83
Condon, MT 59826
(406) 754-2320
Gr: PK-6 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2323.
Hellgate El Intermediate
(Math: 40% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2355 Flynn Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2160
Gr: 4-6 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2424.
Sentinel High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
901 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2403
Gr: 9-12 | 1,365 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #2525.
Frenchtown Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
16495 Main Street
Frenchtown, MT 59834
(406) 626-2620
Gr: PK-3 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Clinton School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
20397 E Mullan Rd
Clinton, MT 59825
(406) 825-3113
Gr: PK-6 | 175 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Lowell School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1215 Phillips St
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4040
Gr: PK-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2828.
Woodman School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
18470 Highway 12 West
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6770
Gr: PK-5 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #2929.
Frenchtown 6-8
(Math: 32% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
17620 Frontage Road
Frenchtown, MT 59834
(406) 626-2650
Gr: 6-8 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #3030.
Franklin School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1910 S. 11th St
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4020
Gr: PK-5 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #3131.
Seeley Lake 7-8
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
200 School Lane
Seeley Lake, MT 59868
(406) 677-2265
Gr: 7-8 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #3232.
Bonner School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
9045 Hwy 200 E
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 258-6151
Gr: PK-5 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #3333.
Desmet 6-8
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6355 Padre Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Gr: 6-8 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #3434.
Lolo Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
11395 Highway 93 South
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6141
Gr: 5-8 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #3535.
Lolo Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
11395 Highway 93 South
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6686
Gr: PK-4 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Show 12 more public schools in Missoula County, MT (out of 47 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Missoula County, MT?
The top-ranked public schools in Missoula County, MT include Rattlesnake Elementary School, Jeannette Rankin Elementary School and Chief Charlo School. Missoula County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Montana.
How many public schools are located in Missoula County?
47 public schools are located in Missoula County.
What percentage of students in Missoula County go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Missoula County are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Missoula County?
Missoula County public schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public schools average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Missoula County are often viewed compared to one another?

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