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Lone Mountain, Big SkyPhoto: Greg Gjerdingen · CC BY 2.0
A
Schools in Big Sky · Big Sky School K-12, Ennis K-12 Schools

Big Sky’s public schools outscore 88% of Montana districts

51% of students in Big Sky’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Montana average (35%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Big Sky, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Montana, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Montana state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
55%
▲ 9 pts vs MT 46%
2021–22
Math proficiency
51%
▲ 16 pts vs MT 35%
2021–22
Spent per student
$15.0K
▲ 10% vs MT $13.6K
FY2024 · Ennis K-12 Schools
Students per teacher
12.5
MT 13.7 · smaller classes
Schools in town
4
386 students on the public path
In brief

Big Sky’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 55% and math 51% across both districts in spring 2022, against 46% and 35% statewide. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Big Sky School K-12 spends $19,020 per student and Ennis K-12 Schools $14,977, against $13,570 across Montana (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Big Sky Discovery School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Big Sky’s grade

A Test scores

A: better than 88% of Montana school districts. Test scores are above the Montana average; there is no graduation rate to add.

Montana school districts we grade (241)Better than 88%
Lower resultsHigher results
Montana towns with similar household incomes (25)Better than 88%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 440 test results could put Big Sky anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Big Sky’s students in the tested grades sat them (440 in math, 439 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Big Sky, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Ophir Elementary SchoolBig Sky School K-12B+
6–8Ophir 7-8Big Sky School K-12B+
9–12Lone Peak High SchoolBig Sky School K-12A+

Big Sky runs its own schools through grade 12 (Big Sky School K-12). From grade PK, students attend the Ennis K-12 Schools, shared with Ennis and Virginia City. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Big Sky

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Big Sky School K-12Grades PK–12 · 3 schools · 386 students, down 6% since 2020–21 · 13.3 per teacher (MT 13.7)
$19,020MT $13,570 · FY2024
A−
Ennis K-12 SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 449 students, up 16% since 2020–21 · 12.0 per teacher (MT 13.7)
$14,977MT $13,570 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, Big Sky School K-1252%
State average 45.7% · 227 students tested
Math · PK–12, Big Sky School K-1245%
State average 35.2% · 228 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Ennis K-12 Schools58%
State average 45.7% · 212 students tested
Math · PK–12, Ennis K-12 Schools58%
State average 35.2% · 212 students tested

Big Sky vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Montana towns that share Big Sky’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Big SkyABig Sky School K-12 PK–12 · Ennis K-12 Schools PK–12

Every school in Big Sky

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Montana’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Big Skyby address
Ophir Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Gallatin Gateway
B+
169 students15:1Rate it →
Ophir 7-8
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Gallatin Gateway
B+
100 students12:1Rate it →
Lone Peak High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Gallatin Gateway
A+
117 students12:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Big Sky Discovery School
Grades PK–12
Private · Nonsectarian
76 students5:1Rate it →

Questions about Big Sky’s schools

Are Big Sky’s schools good?

By Montana’s own tests, yes: the public schools Big Sky children attend outscore 88% of Montana’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Big Sky in?

Two districts: Big Sky School K-12 runs grades PK–12, and Ennis K-12 Schools runs grades PK–12, shared with Ennis and Virginia City.

Where do Big Sky kids go to high school?

Lone Peak High School in Gallatin Gateway, with 117 students; its own test results earn an A+.

How much does Big Sky spend per student?

$19,020 in Big Sky School K-12 and $14,977 in Ennis K-12 Schools (FY2024), against $13,570 across Montana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Big Sky?

Yes: Big Sky Discovery School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 76 students).

Parents talk

What Big Sky families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Big Sky → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Montana. Stars are from neighbors.