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JeffersoncourthousePhoto: Finetooth · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−
Schools in Boulder · Boulder Elementary School District, Jefferson High School District

Boulder’s public schools outscore 78% of Montana districts

In Boulder, 44% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Montana average (35%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Boulder, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 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 94% 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
54%
▲ 8 pts vs MT 46%
2021–22
Math proficiency
44%
▲ 9 pts vs MT 35%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–89%
▼ 4–6 pts vs MT 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.8K
▲ 9% vs MT $13.6K
FY2024 · Jefferson High
Students per teacher
16.1
MT 13.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
3
521 students on the public path
In brief

Boulder’s schools, in brief

Boulder runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares

Boulder Elementary School (PK–6) and Boulder 7-8 (7–8) are Boulder’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Jefferson High School District: Jefferson High School. The high school’s own results earn a C+. See the path ↓

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 54% and math 44% across both districts in spring 2022, against 46% and 35% statewide; 80–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Boulder Elementary spends $15,795 per student and Jefferson High $14,801, against $13,570 across Montana (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

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 Boulder’s grade

A− Test scoresC+ Graduation

A−: better than 78% of Montana school districts. Test scores are above the Montana average; graduation is below it.

Montana school districts we grade (241)Better than 78%
Lower resultsHigher results
Montana towns with similar household incomes (158)Better than 78%
BAA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 158 test results and a graduating class of 53 could put Boulder anywhere from B to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Boulder’s students in the tested grades sat them (158 in math, 159 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–6Boulder Elementary SchoolBoulder Elementary School DistrictB
7–8Boulder 7-8Boulder Elementary School DistrictC
9–12Jefferson High SchoolJefferson High School DistrictC+

Boulder runs its own schools through grade 8 (Boulder Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Jefferson High School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Boulder

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

Boulder Elementary School DistrictGrades PK–8 · 2 schools · 215 students, up 37% since 2020–21 · 16.0 per teacher (MT 13.7)
$15,795MT $13,570 · FY2024
A
Jefferson High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 1 schools · 306 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 16.1 per teacher (MT 13.7)
$14,801MT $13,570 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · PK–8, Boulder Elementary School District57%
State average 45.7% · 119 students tested
Math · PK–8, Boulder Elementary School District47%
State average 35.2% · 118 students tested
Reading · 9–12, Jefferson High School District44%
State average 45.7% · 40 students tested
Math · 9–12, Jefferson High School District34%
State average 35.2% · 40 students tested

Boulder vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BoulderA−Boulder Elementary PK–8 · Jefferson High 9–12

Every school in Boulder

3 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 Boulderby address
Boulder Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
B
166 students18:1Rate it →
Boulder 7-8
Middle · Grades 7–8
C
49 students12:1Rate it →
Jefferson High School
High · Grades 9–12
C+
306 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about Boulder’s schools

Are Boulder’s schools good?

By Montana’s own tests, yes: the public schools Boulder children attend outscore 78% of Montana’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 78%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Boulder in?

Two districts: Boulder Elementary School District runs grades PK–8, and Jefferson High School District runs grades 9–12.

Where do Boulder kids go to high school?

Jefferson High School, with 306 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is Boulder’s graduation rate?

80–89% of the class of 2023 in Jefferson High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across Montana.

How much does Boulder spend per student?

$15,795 in Boulder Elementary School District and $14,801 in Jefferson High School District (FY2024), against $13,570 across Montana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Boulder families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Boulder → 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.