MTMontana rankings

Towns with the best public schools in Montana

Ranked by how far each town's public schools score above or below the Montana average in math and reading proficiency, weighted by enrollment. 40 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-yearTest scores SY2020–21

Montana · Best schools

Billings ranks #17 of 40

−0.3 pts vs. the MT average in math + reading · Visit Billings →

1 Four Corners +26.2 pts Math 63.9% · Reading 69% 2 Montana City +19.2 pts Math 52% · Reading 67%

3 Bozeman +18.9 pts Math 51.6% · Reading 66.9%

#Townvs. state averageMathReading

1 Four CornersMonforton Elem +26.2 pts 63.9% 69%

2 Montana CityMontana City Elem +19.2 pts 52% 67%

BozemanBozeman Elem +18.9 pts 51.6% 66.9%

4 WhitefishWhitefish Elem +14.1 pts 47.1% 61.7%

5 Orchard HomesTarget Range Elem +11.2 pts 44.3% 58.8%

6 DillonDillon Elem +9.7 pts 42.5% 57.6%

7 MissoulaMissoula Elem +6.9 pts 38.4% 56.1%

8 Helena Valley NortheastHelena Elem +6.7 pts 42% 52%

KalispellKalispell Elem +6.4 pts 37.9% 55.5%

10 Red LodgeRed Lodge Elem +3.6 pts 36.3% 51.4%

11 HelenaHelena Elem +3.2 pts 35.2% 51.7%

12 BelgradeBelgrade Elem +1.6 pts 33.8% 50%

LibbyLibby K-12 Schools +1.5 pts 37.4% 46.1%

BigforkBigfork Elem +1.0 pts 28.1% 54.5%

15 LoloLolo Elem +0.1 pts 34.2% 46.5%

16 ConradConrad Elem −0.2 pts 36.8% 43.4%

17 BillingsBillings Elem −0.3 pts 35.7% 44.2%

LewistownLewistown Elem −0.4 pts 35% 44.8%

19 Great FallsGreat Falls Elem −1.1 pts 34.2% 44.1%

HamiltonHamilton K-12 Schools −1.3 pts 32.9% 45.2%

21 Helena Valley West CentralHelena Elem −2.3 pts 27% 49%

Butte-Silver BowButte Elem −3.2 pts 29.4% 44.9%

ShelbyShelby Elem −3.2 pts 29.9% 44.3%

24 LivingstonLivingston Elem −3.4 pts 28.5% 45.2%

25 GlasgowGlasgow K-12 Schools −3.4 pts 32.3% 41.4%

HavreHavre Elem −4.0 pts 31.4% 41.3%

27 Columbia FallsColumbia Falls Elem −4.6 pts 29.5% 42%

28 Helena Valley NorthwestHelena Elem −4.8 pts 26% 45%

29 EvergreenEvergreen Elem −7.0 pts 27% 39.7%

Deer LodgeDeer Lodge Elem −7.0 pts 23.4% 43.3%

31 SidneySidney Elem −7.5 pts 26.7% 38.8%

32 PolsonPolson Elem −8.2 pts 26.9% 37.4%

33 LaurelLaurel Elem −9.5 pts 25.3% 36.2%

GlendiveGlendive Elem −11.0 pts 18.9% 39.7%

35 Miles CityMiles City Elem −11.5 pts 23% 34.6%

36 Anaconda-Deer Lodge CountyAnaconda Elem −12.0 pts 22.3% 34.3%

Cut BankCut Bank Elem −12.2 pts 24.7% 31.4%

38 LockwoodLockwood K-12 −13.1 pts 21.4% 33.1%

39 Wolf PointWolf Point Elem −26.6 pts 8.7% 18.6%

40 HardinHardin Elem −30.8 pts 6.1% 13%

How this ranking works

For every public school in a town we take its latest math and reading proficiency and subtract the Montana average for the same test. The town’s score is the average of those gaps, weighted by each school’s enrollment, so a big high school counts more than a small annex. Private schools aren’t included.

Each state writes its own tests, so these scores compare towns within Montana only. We don’t rank a town unless at least 150 students in its schools were tested. Test data: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states

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