Colstrip’s public schools score below 80% of Montana districts on tests and graduation
Reading proficiency in Colstrip’s districts is 30%, below the Montana average (46%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Colstrip, 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.
From Montana state tests taken in spring 2022, when 99% 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.
Colstrip’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 135 Montana towns with household incomes within a quarter of Colstrip’s, its schools beat 8%, lower than their 20% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Colstrip runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
Pine Butte Elementary Sch (PK–5) and Frank Brattin Middle Schl (6–8) are Colstrip’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Colstrip High School District: Colstrip High School. The high school’s own results earn a C−. See the path ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 30% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% in math, against 46% and 35% statewide; 99% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across Montana (the state reports Colstrip’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Colstrip Elementary spends $18,940 per student and Colstrip High $25,962, 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.
What’s behind Colstrip’s grade
C−: better than 20% of Montana school districts. Both inputs trail the Montana average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Colstrip, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Colstrip
Pine Butte Elementary Sch
Grades PK–5 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Colstrip
Pine Butte Elementary Sch
Grades PK–5 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Colstrip
Pine Butte Elementary Sch
Grades PK–5 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Colstrip
Pine Butte Elementary Sch
Grades PK–5 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Colstrip
Pine Butte Elementary Sch
Grades PK–5 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Colstrip
Pine Butte Elementary Sch
Grades PK–5 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Colstrip
Frank Brattin Middle Schl
Grades 6–8 · 119 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Colstrip
Frank Brattin Middle Schl
Grades 6–8 · 119 students · 10:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Colstrip
Frank Brattin Middle Schl
Grades 6–8 · 119 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Colstrip
Colstrip High School
Grades 9–12 · 155 students · 8:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Colstrip
Colstrip High School
Grades 9–12 · 155 students · 8:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Colstrip
Colstrip High School
Grades 9–12 · 155 students · 8:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Colstrip
Colstrip High School
Grades 9–12 · 155 students · 8:1 students per teacher
Colstrip runs its own schools through grade 8 (Colstrip Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Colstrip High School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Colstrip
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Colstrip vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Montana towns that share Colstrip’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Colstrip | C− | Colstrip Elementary PK–8 · Colstrip High 9–12 |
Every school in Colstrip
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).
Questions about Colstrip’s schools
Are Colstrip’s schools good?
On Montana’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Colstrip children attend score below 80% of Montana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 8%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Colstrip in?
Two districts: Colstrip Elementary School District runs grades PK–8, and Colstrip High School District runs grades 9–12.
Where do Colstrip kids go to high school?
Colstrip High School, with 155 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Colstrip’s graduation rate?
80–89% of the class of 2023 in Colstrip High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across Montana.
How much does Colstrip spend per student?
$18,940 in Colstrip Elementary School District and $25,962 in Colstrip High School District (FY2024), against $13,570 across Montana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Colstrip families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Colstrip → 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.