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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Pondera County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 877 students in Pondera County, MT (there are 1 private school, serving 31 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Pondera County, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Pondera County, MT are Utterback 4-6, Dupuyer School and Heart Butte High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pondera County, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Pondera County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% 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 Pondera County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Utterback 4-6
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
24 2nd Avenue Southwest
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-3227
Gr: 4-6 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Dupuyer School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
319 Columbus Loop
Dupuyer, MT 59432
(406) 472-3297
Gr: PK-8 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Heart Butte High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1 School Rd
Heart Butte, MT 59448
(406) 338-3344
Gr: 9-12 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #44.
Utterback 7-8
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
24 2nd Avenue Southwest
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-3227
Gr: 7-8 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Kingsbury Colony Attn Center
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
804 4th Street
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3314
Gr: PK-8 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Valier High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
804 4th Street
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3613
Gr: 9-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Meadowlark School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
17 3rd Avenue Southwest
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-5620
Gr: PK-3 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #88.
Valier 7-8
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
723 4th Street
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3314
Gr: 7-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #99.
Valier School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
723 4th Street
Valier, MT 59486
(406) 279-3314
Gr: PK-6 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1010.
Conrad High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
308 South Illinois St
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 278-3285
Gr: 9-12 | 126 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1111.
Miami School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
400 New Miami Colony Lane
Conrad, MT 59425
(406) 472-3325
Gr: PK-8 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Rank: #1212.
Heart Butte 6-8
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1 School Rd
Heart Butte, MT 59448
(406) 338-2200
Gr: 6-8 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: #1313.
Heart Butte Elementary School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1 School Road
Heart Butte, MT 59448
(406) 338-2200
Gr: PK-6 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Pondera County, MT?
The top-ranked public schools in Pondera County, MT include Utterback 4-6, Dupuyer School and Heart Butte High School.
How many public schools are located in Pondera County?
12 public schools are located in Pondera County.
What percentage of students in Pondera County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Pondera County are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pondera County?
Pondera County public schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Montana public schools average of 24% (majority American Indian).

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