Excellent
#3 of 603 schools in MT
Top 1% in state
Desmet School
Elementary School · DeSmet Elem
6355 Padre Lane, Missoula, MT 59808
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
9.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
9.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Missoula
#1 of 24
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#3 of 319
In district
#1 of 2
DeSmet Elem
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Desmet School
DeSmet School is a public elementary school in Missoula, Montana, serving students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 92 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1, classes stay small and teachers maintain close contact with every student. The school earns a composite score of 9.6 out of 10, rated Exceptional on MySchoolScout's scale.
Its academic score matches that mark at 9.6, while its growth score reaches 9.9 — reflecting strong year-over-year learning gains across the student body. Those numbers place DeSmet at #3 of 603 public schools statewide and #1 of 24 schools in Missoula, meaning it outperforms every other public school in Montana by composite measure. Among elementary schools specifically, DeSmet ranks #3 out of 319 across Montana — a distinction that signals consistent, high-level performance rather than a single strong year.
For parents comparing elementary options in the Missoula area, that combination of high academic achievement, exceptional growth, and a low student-teacher ratio makes DeSmet one of the clearest data-supported choices in the region.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 92 students, Desmet School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Desmet School — Students at Desmet School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Desmet School Compares
See how Desmet School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 24.5% (2019) to 69.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
Location
6355 Padre Lane, Missoula, MT 59808
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desmet School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hellgate Elem Lower Grades (rated 8.1/10, 3.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Lowell School (rated 8.1/10, 5.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 6.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DeSmet 6-8 Missoula | 0.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Hellgate Middle School Missoula | 3.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Hellgate El Intermediate Missoula | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Hellgate Elem Lower Grades Missoula | 3.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Hellgate El Primary Grades Missoula | 3.2 mi | 7.3 |
| MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula | 4.1 mi | — |
| Hawthorne School Missoula | 4.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Target Range School Missoula | 5.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Target Range 7-8 Missoula | 5.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Big Sky High School Missoula | 5.9 mi | 7.8 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula | 5.7 mi | 6.8 |
| SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula | 5.5 mi | 6.9 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Missoula | 6.1 mi | — |
| Porter Middle School Missoula | 6.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Franklin School Missoula | 5.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Lowell School Missoula | 5.3 mi | 8.1 |
| MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula | 6.0 mi | 7.9 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula | 6.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula | 7.4 mi | 7.0 |
| LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula | 6.5 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59808 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,795
Median Home Value
$419,800
Median Rent
$1,236/mo
Population
22,804
College Educated
39.8%
Homeownership
63.2%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Median Age
36.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desmet School has a median household income of $76,795. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $419,800, with a median rent of $1,236/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Fort Shaw Elem School Simms, MT | 9.4 |
| West Glacier School West Glacier, MT | 9.4 |
| Plevna School Plevna, MT | 9.3 |
| Twin Bridges School Twin Bridges, MT | 9.2 |
| Gallatin Gateway School Gallatin Gateway, MT | 9.0 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell, MT | 8.9 |
Compare Desmet School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desmet School
What grades does Desmet School serve?
Desmet School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Desmet School?
Desmet School has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desmet School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desmet School is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desmet School rank in MT?
Desmet School is ranked #3 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Desmet School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desmet School has a composite rating of 9.6 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 Desmet School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desmet School has 42.8% math proficiency and 46.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desmet School a charter school?
No, Desmet School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desmet School a Title I school?
No, Desmet School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desmet School?
100.0% of students at Desmet 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
- 20 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 18 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 39 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 92
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Missoula County
- Phone
- (406) 549-4994
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DeSmet Elem- District Enrollment
- 129
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,614
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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