Photo: Sam Beebe · CC BY 2.0Deer Lodge’s public schools score below 60% of Montana districts on tests and graduation
In Deer Lodge, 29% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Montana average (35%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Deer Lodge, 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 98% 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.
Deer Lodge’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 157 Montana towns with household incomes within a quarter of Deer Lodge’s, its schools beat 35%, lower than their 40% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Deer Lodge runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
O D Speer School (PK–6) and E F Duvall 7-8 (7–8) are Deer Lodge’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Powell County High School District: Powell County High School. The high school’s own results earn a C−. See the path ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 46% and math 29% across both districts in spring 2022, against 46% and 35% statewide; 70–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Deer Lodge Elementary spends $14,665 per student and Powell County High $21,689, 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 Deer Lodge’s grade
C+: better than 40% of Montana school districts, #30 of 41 Montana towns. Both inputs trail the Montana average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Deer Lodge, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Deer Lodge
O D Speer School
Grades PK–6 · 337 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Deer Lodge
O D Speer School
Grades PK–6 · 337 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Deer Lodge
O D Speer School
Grades PK–6 · 337 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Deer Lodge
O D Speer School
Grades PK–6 · 337 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Deer Lodge
O D Speer School
Grades PK–6 · 337 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Deer Lodge
O D Speer School
Grades PK–6 · 337 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Deer Lodge
O D Speer School
Grades PK–6 · 337 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Deer Lodge
O D Speer School
Grades PK–6 · 337 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Deer Lodge
E F Duvall 7-8
Grades 7–8 · 88 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Deer Lodge
E F Duvall 7-8
Grades 7–8 · 88 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Deer Lodge
Powell County High School
Grades 9–12 · 181 students · 10:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Deer Lodge
Powell County High School
Grades 9–12 · 181 students · 10:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Deer Lodge
Powell County High School
Grades 9–12 · 181 students · 10:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Deer Lodge
Powell County High School
Grades 9–12 · 181 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Deer Lodge runs its own schools through grade 8 (Deer Lodge Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Powell County High School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Deer Lodge
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Deer Lodge vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Montana towns that share Deer Lodge’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Lodge | C+ | Deer Lodge Elementary PK–8 · Powell County High 9–12 |
Every school in Deer Lodge
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 Deer Lodge’s schools
Are Deer Lodge’s schools good?
On Montana’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Deer Lodge children attend score below 60% of Montana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #30 of 41 Montana towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 35%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Deer Lodge in?
Two districts: Deer Lodge Elementary School District runs grades PK–8, and Powell County High School District runs grades 9–12.
Where do Deer Lodge kids go to high school?
Powell County High School, with 181 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Deer Lodge’s graduation rate?
70–79% of the class of 2023 in Powell County High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across Montana.
How much does Deer Lodge spend per student?
$14,665 in Deer Lodge Elementary School District and $21,689 in Powell County High School District (FY2024), against $13,570 across Montana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Deer Lodge families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Deer Lodge → 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.