Very Good
#97 of 603 schools in MT
Top 16% in state
Big Sky High School
High School · Missoula H S
909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801
Enrollment
1,227
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,227
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Missoula
#9 of 24
public schools
Montana high schools
#17 of 141
In district
#2 of 4
Missoula H S
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Big Sky High School
Big Sky High School serves 1,227 students in grades 9-12 in Missoula, Montana, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and 82 full-time equivalent teachers. The school currently ranks 356th out of 605 high schools statewide, placing it in the 41st percentile for Montana schools. Academically, Big Sky High School has room for growth, with 47% of students performing proficiently or above in English Language Arts and 27% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school maintains a focus on student development as it works to strengthen academic outcomes across all grade levels. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $51,494 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of educational backgrounds and economic circumstances, with home values averaging $354,900 and an 18.6% poverty rate among the area's 31,094 residents.
Big Sky High School's substantial enrollment makes it one of the larger educational institutions in the region, providing students with opportunities that come with a comprehensive high school environment. The school is situated in Missoula's small city setting, offering students access to both educational resources and the cultural amenities of this vibrant Montana community.
Score Breakdown
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Big Sky High School — Students at Big Sky High School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.3/10.
How Big Sky High School Compares
See how Big Sky High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Big Sky High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Chief Charlo School (rated 8.6/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Hellgate Elem Lower Grades (rated 8.1/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hellgate Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Missoula | 0.5 mi | — |
| Porter Middle School Missoula | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Hawthorne School Missoula | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Target Range School Missoula | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Target Range 7-8 Missoula | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Franklin School Missoula | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST ACADEMY Missoula | 2.2 mi | — |
| Jeannette Rankin El Missoula | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula | 1.9 mi | — |
| Chief Charlo School Missoula | 2.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Russell School Missoula | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Hellgate Elem Lower Grades Missoula | 2.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Hellgate El Primary Grades Missoula | 2.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Hellgate Middle School Missoula | 3.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Hellgate El Intermediate Missoula | 3.0 mi | 5.3 |
| MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula | 2.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,022
Median Home Value
$393,400
Median Rent
$1,086/mo
Population
31,127
College Educated
51.4%
Homeownership
40.8%
Avg Commute
15.2 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Big Sky High School has a median household income of $55,022. 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 $393,400, with a median rent of $1,086/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hellgate High School Missoula, MT | 7.8 |
| Bozeman High School Bozeman, MT | 7.7 |
| Flathead High School Kalispell, MT | 6.9 |
| Capital High School Helena, MT | 6.8 |
| Helena High School Helena, MT | 6.7 |
| C M Russell High School Great Falls, MT | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Big Sky High School
What grades does Big Sky High School serve?
Big Sky High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Big Sky High School?
Big Sky High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,227 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Sky High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Big Sky High School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Big Sky High School rank in MT?
Big Sky High School is ranked #97 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Big Sky High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Sky High School has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Big Sky High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Sky High School has 26.7% math proficiency and 41.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Big Sky High School a charter school?
No, Big Sky High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Big Sky High School a Title I school?
No, Big Sky High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Sky High School?
41.2% of students at Big Sky High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 11 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 29 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 40 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,253/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Missoula). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,227
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 82
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Missoula County
- Phone
- (406) 728-2401
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Missoula H S- District Enrollment
- 4,026
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,142
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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