#1Four Corners
unincorporated, Gallatin County · 5,791 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall A+ · #1 of 41 in MT
Four Corners, #1 on this list · Pine Butte School · Photo: Circletheblock · CC BY-SA 3.0Montana rankings · Schools
Towns with the best schools in Montana
Four Corners ranks first on schools among Montana’s 41 towns of 2,500+; 9 of the 41 grade A− or better (schools are graded within each state).
The Schools grade: state test results and graduation rates of the districts serving each town, compared with the state’s other districts (U.S. Department of Education). How grades work
#1A+
#2Bozeman
Gallatin County · 58,814 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall B+ · #7 of 41 in MT
#3Whitefish
Flathead County · 9,358 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall B+ · #5 of 41 in MT
All 41 towns
Schools grade, best first (graded within Montana). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 6 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
41 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
1Four Cornersunincorporated, Gallatin County · 5,791 peopleA+graded within the state·Overall A+ · #1 of 41
4Montana Cityunincorporated, Jefferson County · 3,092 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B+ · #8 of 41
6Orchard Homesunincorporated, Missoula County · 5,588 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall A− · #2 of 41
10Bigforkunincorporated, Flathead County · 5,565 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B · #9 of 41
T13Helena Valley Northeastunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 4,659 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall C+ · #20 of 41
T13Helena Valley Northwestunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 5,183 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall C+ · #18 of 41
T13Helena Valley West Centralunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 8,056 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B · #10 of 41
17Helena Valley Southeastunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 9,108 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall C+ · #19 of 41
T21Malmstrom AFBunincorporated, Cascade County · 4,302 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall C+ · #22 of 41
28Lockwoodunincorporated, Yellowstone County · 7,181 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall C+ · #25 of 41
31Evergreenunincorporated, Flathead County · 9,611 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C · #26 of 41
36Anaconda-Deer Lodge CountyDeer Lodge County · 9,709 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall C · #30 of 41
41North Browningunincorporated, Glacier County · 3,144 peopleD−graded within the state·Overall D · #40 of 41
Not ranked
1 town without a schools grade
Towns of 2,500+ that don’t have the figures this grade needs. Each town’s page says which ones are missing.
- Butte-Silver Bow · 36,118 people
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Which Montana town has the best schools?
Four Corners (Gallatin County) ranks first on schools among 41 towns, with an A+; Bozeman and Whitefish follow. Schools are compared within Montana, so the letter is a state grade.
How are these towns ranked?
The Schools grade: state test results and graduation rates of the districts serving each town, compared with the state’s other districts (U.S. Department of Education). Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a schools grade (41 in Montana). 1 town of 2,500+ lack the figures and is listed above. Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Montana page.
Go deeper
All Montana rankings →More Montana lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live41 towns · #1 Four CornersBest small towns34 towns · #1 Four CornersMost affordable towns42 towns · #1 North BrowningSafest towns26 towns · #1 LibbyHealthiest towns41 towns · #1 Four CornersBest towns for jobs & income42 towns · #1 Helena Valley NortheastMost walkable towns42 towns · #1 BozemanTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk42 towns · #1 HelenaBest towns for the outdoors42 towns · #1 HelenaMost historic towns42 towns · #1 Butte-Silver BowTowns with the most civic life28 towns · #1 LivingstonTowns with the least snow38 towns · #1 DillonDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns38 towns · #1 Red LodgeDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters43 towns · #1 LibbyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers43 towns · #1 Miles CityDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers43 towns · #1 Anaconda-Deer Lodge CountyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes42 towns · #1 Helena Valley NortheastDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes41 towns · #1 North BrowningDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns28 towns · #1 KalispellDescribed, no letters
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