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Polson2Photo: Montanabw · CC BY-SA 3.0
B−
Schools in Polson · Polson Elementary School District, Polson High School District

Polson’s public schools score below 54% of Montana districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the two public school districts serving Polson, 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.

#27of 41 Montana townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
42%
▼ 4 pts vs MT 46%
2021–22
Math proficiency
32%
▼ 3 pts vs MT 35%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 0–4 pts vs MT 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.6K
▼ 7% vs MT $13.6K
FY2024 · Polson Elementary
Students per teacher
14.5
MT 13.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
4
1,592 students on the public path
In brief

Polson’s schools, in brief

Polson runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares

Cherry Valley School (PK–1), Linderman School (2–4) and Polson Middle School (5–8) are Polson’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Polson High School District: Polson High School. The high school’s own results earn a C. See the path ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 42% of tested students were proficient in reading and 32% in math, against 46% and 35% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across Montana (the state reports Polson’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Polson Elementary spends $12,596 per student and Polson High $13,660, 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 Polson’s grade

C+ Test scoresB Graduation

B−: better than 46% of Montana school districts, #27 of 41 Montana towns. Graduation is above the Montana average; test scores are below it.

Montana school districts we grade (241)Better than 46%
Lower resultsHigher results
Montana towns with similar household incomes (139)Better than 43%
CBA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 849 test results and a graduating class of 100 could put Polson anywhere from C to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Polson’s students in the tested grades sat them (841 in math, 857 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–1Cherry Valley SchoolPolson Elementary School DistrictNo scores
2–4Linderman SchoolPolson Elementary School DistrictC+
5–8Polson Middle SchoolPolson Elementary School DistrictC
9–12Polson High SchoolPolson High School DistrictC

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

Two districts serve Polson

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

Polson Elementary School DistrictGrades PK–8 · 3 schools · 1,075 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 15.0 per teacher (MT 13.7)
$12,596MT $13,570 · FY2024
C+
Polson High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 1 schools · 517 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 13.6 per teacher (MT 13.7)
$13,660MT $13,570 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading · PK–8, Polson Elementary School District42%
State average 45.7% · 765 students tested
Math · PK–8, Polson Elementary School District32%
State average 35.2% · 749 students tested
Reading · 9–12, Polson High School District42%
State average 45.7% · 92 students tested
Math · 9–12, Polson High School District32%
State average 35.2% · 92 students tested

Polson vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PolsonB−Polson Elementary PK–8 · Polson High 9–12

Every school in Polson

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 Polsonby address
Cherry Valley School
Elementary · Grades PK–1
243 students13:1Rate it →
Linderman School
Elementary · Grades 2–4
C+
355 students15:1Rate it →
Polson Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
C
477 students16:1Rate it →
Polson High School
High · Grades 9–12
C
517 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Polson’s schools

Are Polson’s schools good?

On Montana’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Polson children attend score below 54% of Montana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #27 of 41 Montana towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 43%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Polson in?

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

Where do Polson kids go to high school?

Polson High School, with 517 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Polson’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Polson High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across Montana.

How much does Polson spend per student?

$12,596 in Polson Elementary School District and $13,660 in Polson High School District (FY2024), against $13,570 across Montana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Polson families are saying about school.

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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.