Best Schools in Polson, Montana
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Polson?
Use this page to compare every school in Polson 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.
Linderman School
Elementary · Polson Elem. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mission Valley Christian Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Polson High School
High · Polson H S. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Polson for 2026 are Linderman School (7.6/10), Mission Valley Christian Academy (7.5/10), and Polson High School (5.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$386,100
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$386,100
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Polson
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linderman School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Mission Valley Christian Academy | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Polson High School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Polson Middle School | 4.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Valley View School | 3.5 / 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
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $59,883
- Median home value
- $386,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 33%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Polson compares
Montana rank
#72 of 102
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below Montana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$60k
90% of Montana median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Polson, Montana
Polson, Montana is home to 6 schools, including 5 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, schools in Polson 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 Polson is Linderman School with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Polson is served by 3 school districts: Polson Elem, Polson H S, Valley View Elem. These districts collectively serve 1,704 students.
Polson's community shows 33% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $59,883. The poverty rate in the area is 16.5%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 361 students · 2nd–4th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 268 students · Pre-K–1st | 5.2 |
| 3 | 33 students · Pre-K–6th | 3.5 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 495 students · 5th–8th | 4.4 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 547 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mission Valley Christian Academy
Private
95 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.5 |
Schools in Polson
Polson, Montana · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$59,883
Median Home Value
$386,100
Median Rent
$932/mo
Population
11,580
College Educated
33%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
16.5%
Community Profile
Polson has a median household income of $59,883. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $386,100, with a median rent of $932/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Montana
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 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 Polson, Montana
How many schools are in Polson, Montana?
Polson has 6 schools, including 5 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Polson, Montana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Polson is 5.6 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 Polson, Montana?
The top-ranked school in Polson on MySchoolScout is Linderman School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Polson, Montana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Polson on MySchoolScout is Linderman School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Polson, Montana?
The top-ranked middle school in Polson on MySchoolScout is Polson Middle School with a composite score of 4.4/10.
What is the best high school in Polson, Montana?
The top-ranked high school in Polson on MySchoolScout is Polson High School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
How many school districts serve Polson, Montana?
Polson is served by 3 school districts: Polson Elem, Polson H S, Valley View Elem.
What is the education level in Polson, Montana?
According to Census data, 33% of adults in Polson have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Polson, Montana?
The median household income in Polson is approximately $59,883 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Polson, Montana?
Yes, Polson has 1 private school alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Mission Valley Christian Academy with a score of 7.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Polson, Montana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Polson is 12.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Polson, 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.