For the 2025 school year, there are 27 public schools serving 11,336 students in Missoula, MT (there are , serving 1,739 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Missoula, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%). Missoula has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Montana.
The top ranked public schools in Missoula, 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, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Missoula have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% 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 23% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Missoula, MT (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rattlesnake Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1220 Pineview Drive
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Jeannette Rankin Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5150 Bigfork Rd.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4010
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4010
Gr: PK-5 | 463 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Chief Charlo School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5600 Longview Dr
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4005
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4005
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Paxson School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
101 Evans
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4055
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4055
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
Lewis & Clark School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2901 Park
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4035
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4035
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #66.
Target Range 7-8
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4095 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Gr: 7-8 | 129 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Washington Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
645 West Central Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4085
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4085
Gr: 6-8 | 682 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Hawthorne School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
550 Hiberta St.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4025
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4025
Gr: PK-5 | 377 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Hellgate Elementary Lower Grades
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2365 Flynn Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2160
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2160
Gr: 2-3 | 343 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Russell School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3216 Russell Street
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4080
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4080
Gr: PK-5 | 385 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1111.
Desmet School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6355 Padre Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Gr: PK-5 | 92 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1212.
Hellgate Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2375 Flynn Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Gr: 7-8 | 300 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1313.
Target Range School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4095 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Gr: PK-6 | 415 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1414.
Meadow Hill Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4210 Reserve
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4045
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4045
Gr: 6-8 | 408 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1515.
Hellgate High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
925 Gerald Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2402
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2402
Gr: 9-12 | 1,312 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1616.
Hellgate El Intermediate
(Math: 40% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2355 Flynn Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2160
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2160
Gr: 4-6 | 525 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1717.
Sentinel High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
901 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2403
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2403
Gr: 9-12 | 1,386 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1818.
Lowell School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1215 Phillips St
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4040
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4040
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1919.
Franklin School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1910 S. 11th St
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4020
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4020
Gr: PK-5 | 282 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2020.
Desmet 6-8
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6355 Padre Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Gr: 6-8 | 37 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2121.
Big Sky High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3100 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2401
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-2401
Gr: 9-12 | 1,227 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #2222.
Porter Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2510 Central Avenue
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4060
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4060
Gr: 6-8 | 590 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2323.
Seeley-swan High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
456 Airport Road
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 677-2224
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 677-2224
Gr: 9-12 | 101 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: n/an/a
2365 Flynne Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Gr: PK-1 | 292 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Missoula, Montana Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
215 South 6th West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Gr: K-3 | 232 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
215 South 6th West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4065
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4065
Gr: 4-5 | 133 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Missoula, MT?
The top ranked public schools in Missoula, MT include Rattlesnake Elementary School, Jeannette Rankin Elementary School and Chief Charlo School. Missoula has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Montana.
How many public schools are located in Missoula?
27 public schools are located in Missoula.
What percentage of students in Missoula go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Missoula are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Missoula?
Missoula 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 23% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Missoula are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Missoula include: Hellgate High School vs. Sentinel High School, Sentinel High School vs. Hellgate High School, Meadow Hill Middle School vs. Porter Middle School
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
