Best Schools in Shelby, Montana
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Shelby?
Use this page to compare every school in Shelby 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.
Shelby Elementary School
Elementary · Shelby Elem. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Shelby 7-8
Middle · Shelby Elem. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Shelby High School
High · Shelby 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 Shelby for 2026 are Shelby Elementary School (6.5/10), Shelby 7-8 (5.6/10), and Shelby High School (4.6/10), 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
5
in this city
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$203,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$203,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Shelby
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shelby Elementary School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Shelby 7-8 | 5.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Shelby High School | 4.6 / 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
- $54,004
- Median home value
- $203,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Shelby compares
Montana rank
#73 of 102
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below Montana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$54k
82% of Montana median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Shelby, Montana
Shelby, Montana is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. 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 Shelby 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 Shelby is Shelby Elementary School with a composite score of 6.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Shelby is served by 2 school districts: Shelby Elem, Shelby H S. These districts collectively serve 532 students.
Shelby's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $54,004. The poverty rate in the area is 10.8%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 294 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.5 |
| 2 | 26 students · Pre-K–8th | — |
| 3 | 14 students · Pre-K–8th | — |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 69 students · 7th–8th | 5.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 129 students · 9th–12th | 4.6 |
Schools in Shelby
Shelby, Montana · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$54,004
Median Home Value
$203,600
Median Rent
$770/mo
Population
3,391
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
67%
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Community Profile
Shelby has a median household income of $54,004. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,600, with a median rent of $770/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Montana
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School Districts (2)
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 Shelby, Montana
How many schools are in Shelby, Montana?
Shelby has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Shelby, Montana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Shelby 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 Shelby, Montana?
The top-ranked school in Shelby on MySchoolScout is Shelby Elementary School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Shelby, Montana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Shelby on MySchoolScout is Shelby Elementary School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Shelby, Montana?
The top-ranked middle school in Shelby on MySchoolScout is Shelby 7-8 with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best high school in Shelby, Montana?
The top-ranked high school in Shelby on MySchoolScout is Shelby High School with a composite score of 4.6/10.
How many school districts serve Shelby, Montana?
Shelby is served by 2 school districts: Shelby Elem, Shelby H S.
What is the education level in Shelby, Montana?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Shelby have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Shelby, Montana?
The median household income in Shelby is approximately $54,004 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Shelby, Montana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Shelby is 15.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Shelby, 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.