Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Missoula’s public schools outscore 82% of Montana districts
On the state math tests, 44% of Missoula’s students scored proficient, above the Montana average (35%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Missoula, 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 96% 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.
Missoula’s schools, in brief
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 56% and math 44% across its districts in spring 2022, against 46% and 35% statewide; 85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Missoula High spends $14,071 per student and Missoula Elementary $14,035, against $13,570 across Montana (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Valley Christian School (private), St. Joseph School (private), Missoula International School (private), Loyola Sacred Heart High School (private), Brightways Global Academy (private), Sussex School (private), Aspire High School (private), Missoula Christian Montessori (private), Summit Montessori (private), Aspire School (private) and Lighthouse Baptist Academy (private) are in town. Missoula Connect Academy HS, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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.
What’s behind Missoula’s grade
A−: better than 82% of Montana school districts, #6 of 41 Montana towns. Test scores are above the Montana average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Missoula, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Missoula · depends on your address
Sentinel High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,365 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Hellgate High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,262 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Big Sky High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,148 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Missoula · depends on your address
Sentinel High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,365 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Hellgate High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,262 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Big Sky High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,148 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Parts of Missoula (9% and 3% of its land) are served by DeSmet Elementary and Target Range Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Missoula
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Missoula vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Montana towns that share Missoula’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula | A− | Missoula Elementary PK–8 · Hellgate Elementary PK–8 · Missoula High 9–12 |
Every school in Missoula
34 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Missoula Connect Academy MS).
Questions about Missoula’s schools
Are Missoula’s schools good?
By Montana’s own tests, yes: the public schools Missoula children attend outscore 82% of Montana’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #6 of 41 Montana towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 85%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Missoula in?
Missoula High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 3,959 students in 5 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Missoula are served by DeSmet Elementary and Target Range Elementary.
Where do Missoula kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Sentinel High School, Hellgate High School and Big Sky High School.
What is Missoula’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Missoula High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across Montana.
How much does Missoula spend per student?
$14,071 in Missoula High School District, $14,035 in Missoula Elementary School District and $11,821 in Hellgate Elementary School District (FY2024), against $13,570 across Montana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Missoula?
Yes: Valley Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 367 students), St. Joseph School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 304 students), Missoula International School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 200 students), Loyola Sacred Heart High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 143 students), Brightways Global Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 135 students), Sussex School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 125 students), Aspire High School (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 43 students), Missoula Christian Montessori (religious, grades PK–6, 43 students), Summit Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 39 students), Aspire School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 28 students) and Lighthouse Baptist Academy (religious, grades 3–9, 4 students).
Parents talk
What Missoula families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Missoula → 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.