Best Schools in Whitefish, Montana
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Whitefish?
Use this page to compare every school in Whitefish 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.
L a Muldown School
Elementary · Whitefish Elem. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Bissell School
Elementary · Olney-bissell Elem. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Whitefish Middle 5-8
Middle · Whitefish Elem. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Whitefish for 2026 are L a Muldown School (8.2/10), Bissell School (8.1/10), and Whitefish Middle 5-8 (7.4/10), 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
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$654,800
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$654,800
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Whitefish
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 | L a Muldown School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Bissell School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Whitefish Middle 5-8 | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Whitefish High School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Whitefish Christian Academy | 6.2 / 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
- 7.4/10
- Median household income
- $75,512
- Median home value
- $654,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 51%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
80% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Whitefish compares
Montana rank
#17 of 102
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above Montana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$76k
114% of Montana median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Whitefish, Montana
Whitefish, Montana is home to 6 schools, including 5 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.4 out of 10, schools in Whitefish 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 Whitefish is L a Muldown School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Whitefish is served by 3 school districts: Olney-Bissell Elem, Whitefish Elem, Whitefish H S. These districts collectively serve 2,055 students.
Whitefish's community shows 51% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $75,512. The poverty rate in the area is 8.4%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 672 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 74 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.1 | ||
| 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 | Whitefish Christian Academy
Private
127 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.2 | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 661 students · 5th–8th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 18 students · 7th–8th | — |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 630 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
Schools in Whitefish
Whitefish, Montana · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$75,512
Median Home Value
$654,800
Median Rent
$1,335/mo
Population
14,653
College Educated
51%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Community Profile
Whitefish has a median household income of $75,512. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $654,800, with a median rent of $1,335/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Montana
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 2
- 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 Whitefish, Montana
How many schools are in Whitefish, Montana?
Whitefish has 6 schools, including 5 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Whitefish, Montana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Whitefish is 7.4 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 Whitefish, Montana?
The top-ranked school in Whitefish on MySchoolScout is L a Muldown School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Whitefish, Montana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Whitefish on MySchoolScout is L a Muldown School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Whitefish, Montana?
The top-ranked middle school in Whitefish on MySchoolScout is Whitefish Middle 5-8 with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best high school in Whitefish, Montana?
The top-ranked high school in Whitefish on MySchoolScout is Whitefish High School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Whitefish, Montana?
Whitefish is served by 3 school districts: Olney-bissell Elem, Whitefish Elem, Whitefish H S.
What is the education level in Whitefish, Montana?
According to Census data, 51% of adults in Whitefish have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Whitefish, Montana?
The median household income in Whitefish is approximately $75,512 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Whitefish, Montana?
Yes, Whitefish has 1 private school alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Whitefish Christian Academy with a score of 6.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Whitefish, Montana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Whitefish is 13.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Whitefish, 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.