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 Preschools in Missoula County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Missoula County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public preschools serving 5,744 students in Missoula County, MT. The top-ranked public preschools 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 preschools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the Montana public pre school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 47% statewide average). Pre schools in Missoula County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Montana public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public preschool average of 24% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Preschools 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.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #14 - 1514. - 15.
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: #14 - 1514. - 15.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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%
Rank: #2020.
Seeley Lake Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
200 School Lane
Seeley Lake, MT 59868
(406) 677-2265
Gr: PK-6 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
Hellgate El Primary Grades
2365 Flynne Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Gr: PK-1 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
Missoula Teach Academy
909 South Ave West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2400
Gr: PK-5 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 39%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Missoula County, MT?
The top-ranked public preschools 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 preschools are located in Missoula County?
21 public preschools are located in Missoula County.
What is the racial composition of students in Missoula County?
Missoula County public preschools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public preschools average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Which public preschools in Missoula County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Missoula County include: Bonner School vs. Desmet School, Lolo Elementary School vs. Hawthorne School, Desmet School vs. Bonner School

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

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

Most Popular Articles

Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
 Montana Top-Ranked Public Schools
Montana Top-Ranked Public Schools
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
 15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
 Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)

More Articles

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