Excellent
#24 of 603 schools in MT
Top 4% in state
Desmet School
Elementary School · DeSmet Elem
6355 Padre Lane, Missoula, MT 59808
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#24 of 603
In Missoula
#1 of 24
public schools
In district
#1 of 2
DeSmet Elem
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Desmet School?
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Desmet School
Elementary School in Missoula · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Chief Charlo School
Missoula, MT. Compare side by side with Desmet School before ruling this option in or out.
Desmet 6-8
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desmet School
Desmet School is a public elementary school in Missoula, MT, part of DeSmet Elem. Desmet School serves approximately 92 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Desmet School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #24 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Desmet School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.9 · Excellent
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 92 students, Desmet School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
35% of students at Desmet School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 26 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: 8.6/10.
How Desmet School Compares
See how Desmet School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
6355 Padre Lane, Missoula, MT 59808
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desmet School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hawthorne School (rated 8.5/10, 4.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Target Range School (rated 8.0/10, 5.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 6.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.4 |
| Hellgate Middle School Missoula | 3.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Hellgate El Intermediate Missoula | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Hellgate Elem Lower Grades Missoula | 3.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Hellgate El Primary Grades Missoula | 3.2 mi | 7.5 |
| MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula | 4.1 mi | — |
| Hawthorne School Missoula | 4.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Target Range School Missoula | 5.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Target Range 7-8 Missoula | 5.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Big Sky High School Missoula | 5.9 mi | 6.1 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| Franklin School Missoula | 5.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Lowell School Missoula | 5.3 mi | 5.7 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Charlo Elementary Charlo, MT | 8.9 |
| Highland Park School Miles City, MT | 8.9 |
| Jordan Elementary School Jordan, MT | 8.9 |
| Augusta Elementary School Augusta, MT | 8.8 |
| Ulm School Ulm, MT | 9.0 |
| Winifred School Winifred, MT | 8.8 |
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 ranks #24 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Desmet School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desmet School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Desmet School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desmet School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.8%
- Phone
- (406) 549-4994
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
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