Best Schools in Chester, Montana
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Chester?
Use this page to compare every school in Chester by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Chester-joplin-inverness 7-8
Middle · Chester-joplin-inverness EL. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Chester-joplin-inverness Schl
Elementary · Chester-joplin-inverness EL. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Chester-joplin-inverness HS
High · Chester-joplin-inverness HS. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Chester for 2026 are Chester-joplin-inverness 7-8 (8.8/10), Chester-joplin-inverness Schl (7.9/10), and Chester-joplin-inverness HS (5.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$132,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$132,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Chester
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chester-joplin-inverness 7-8 | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Chester-joplin-inverness Schl | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Chester-joplin-inverness HS | 5.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $54,583
- Median home value
- $132,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 53%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Chester compares
Montana rank
#11 of 102
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above Montana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$55k
82% of Montana median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Chester, Montana
Chester, Montana is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.5 out of 10, schools in Chester perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Chester is Chester-joplin-inverness 7-8 with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Chester is served by 2 school districts: Chester-Joplin-Inverness El, Chester-Joplin-Inverness HS. These districts collectively serve 239 students.
Chester's community shows 31% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $54,583. The poverty rate in the area is 24.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 134 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.9 |
| 2 | 6 students · Pre-K–8th | — |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 37 students · 7th–8th | 8.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 62 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 |
Schools in Chester
Chester, Montana · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$54,583
Median Home Value
$132,500
Median Rent
$657/mo
Population
1,227
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
53%
Poverty Rate
24.8%
Community Profile
Chester has a median household income of $54,583. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $132,500, with a median rent of $657/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Montana
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Montana
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Chester, Montana
How many schools are in Chester, Montana?
Chester has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chester, Montana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chester is 7.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Chester, Montana?
The top-ranked school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester-joplin-inverness 7-8 with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chester, Montana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester-joplin-inverness Schl with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Chester, Montana?
The top-ranked middle school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester-joplin-inverness 7-8 with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best high school in Chester, Montana?
The top-ranked high school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester-joplin-inverness HS with a composite score of 5.7/10.
How many school districts serve Chester, Montana?
Chester is served by 2 school districts: Chester-joplin-inverness EL, Chester-joplin-inverness HS.
What is the education level in Chester, Montana?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in Chester have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chester, Montana?
The median household income in Chester is approximately $54,583 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chester, Montana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chester is 9.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chester, Montana?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Montana Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.