Best Schools in Hays, Montana
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Hays?
Use this page to compare every school in Hays 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.
Hays-lodge Pole 7-8
Middle · Hays-lodge Pole K-12 Schls. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hays-lodge Pole High Sch
High · Hays-lodge Pole K-12 Schls. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lodge Pole School
Elementary · Hays-lodge Pole K-12 Schls. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Hays for 2026 are Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 (7.0/10), Hays-lodge Pole High Sch (6.0/10), and Lodge Pole School (5.9/10), 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
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$64,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$64,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Hays
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 | Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 | 7.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Hays-lodge Pole High Sch | 6.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Lodge Pole School | 5.9 / 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $58,000
- Median home value
- $64,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 55%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Hays compares
Montana rank
#46 of 102
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below Montana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$58k
88% of Montana median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Hays, Montana
Hays, Montana is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Hays show moderate performance 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 Hays is Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 with a composite score of 7.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Hays is served by 1 school district: Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls. These districts collectively serve 266 students.
Hays's community shows 15% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $58,000. The poverty rate in the area is 29.4%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 140 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.9 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 32 students · 7th–8th | 7.0 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Paul Mission Grade School
Private
7 students · 5th–6th | — | ||
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 94 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
Schools in Hays
Hays, Montana · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$58,000
Median Home Value
$64,300
Median Rent
$550/mo
Population
1,114
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
55%
Poverty Rate
29.4%
Community Profile
Hays has a median household income of $58,000. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $64,300, with a median rent of $550/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Montana
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
School District
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 Hays, Montana
How many schools are in Hays, Montana?
Hays has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Hays, Montana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Hays is 6.3 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 Hays, Montana?
The top-ranked school in Hays on MySchoolScout is Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Hays, Montana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Hays on MySchoolScout is Lodge Pole School with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Hays, Montana?
The top-ranked middle school in Hays on MySchoolScout is Hays-lodge Pole 7-8 with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Hays, Montana?
The top-ranked high school in Hays on MySchoolScout is Hays-lodge Pole High Sch with a composite score of 6.0/10.
How many school districts serve Hays, Montana?
Hays is served by 1 school district: Hays-lodge Pole K-12 Schls.
What is the education level in Hays, Montana?
According to Census data, 15% of adults in Hays have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Hays, Montana?
The median household income in Hays is approximately $58,000 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Hays, Montana?
Yes, Hays has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Hays, Montana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Hays is 12.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Hays, 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.
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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.