Top Rankings
Polson Elementary School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Montana for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public elementary schools serving 1,075 students in Polson Elementary School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Montana.
Public Elementary Schools in Polson Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Montana public elementary school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Montana public elementary school average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
3 Schools
533 Schools
# Students
1,075 Students
95,343 Students
# Teachers
72 Teachers
6,870 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Polson Elementary School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 335 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
Overall District Rank
#173 out of 350 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
37%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
46%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
37%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.55
0.41
% American Indian
36%
10%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
3%
7%
% Black
1%
1%
% White
57%
76%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,107 is higher than the state median of $15,490. The school district revenue/student has grown by 51% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,846 is higher than the state median of $15,580. The school district spending/student has grown by 36% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$23 MM
$2,285 MM
Spending
$21 MM
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,107
$15,490
Spending / Student
$19,846
$15,580
Best Polson Elementary School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Linderman School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
312 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6229
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6229
Gr: 2-4 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
Polson Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1602 2nd Street West
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6335
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6335
Gr: 5-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
107 8th Avenue West
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6333
Polson, MT 59860
(406) 883-6333
Gr: PK-1 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
