Very Good
#96 of 603 schools in MT
Top 16% in state
Hellgate High School
High School · Missoula H S
909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801
Enrollment
1,312
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,312
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Missoula
#8 of 24
public schools
Montana high schools
#16 of 141
In district
#1 of 4
Missoula H S
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Hellgate High School
Hellgate High School serves 1,312 students in grades 9-12 in Missoula, Montana, offering a comprehensive high school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 and 95 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks 214th out of 605 Montana high schools, placing it in the 65th percentile statewide. Academically, Hellgate High shows solid performance in English Language Arts with 55% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 31% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school's academic score of 6.7 out of 10 reflects a focus on continued student development and educational improvement. The school serves a diverse community in the 59801 ZIP code area, where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an education-focused environment.
The neighborhood's median household income of $51,494 and median home value of $354,900 reflect a working-class community with aspirations for educational advancement. Located on South Avenue West in Montana's second-largest city, Hellgate High School benefits from Missoula's small city atmosphere, which combines university town culture with outdoor recreation opportunities and a strong sense of community engagement.
Score Breakdown
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Hellgate High School — Students at Hellgate High School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Hellgate High School Compares
See how Hellgate 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 42% (2019) to 31% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 53% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hellgate High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Sentinel High School (rated 5.4/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Paxson School Missoula | 0.5 mi | 8.2 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Washington Middle School Missoula | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Lewis & Clark School Missoula | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Sentinel High School Missoula | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Lowell School Missoula | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula | 1.7 mi | — |
| Russell School Missoula | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Franklin School Missoula | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| CLARK FORK SCHOOL Missoula | 2.3 mi | — |
| Rattlesnake Elementary School Missoula | 2.4 mi | 8.3 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
| MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula | 2.5 mi | — |
| Porter Middle School Missoula | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula | 2.9 mi | 7.0 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Missoula | 2.6 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 Hellgate 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 |
|---|---|
| Big Sky 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 Hellgate High School
What grades does Hellgate High School serve?
Hellgate High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Hellgate High School?
Hellgate High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,312 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hellgate High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hellgate High School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hellgate High School rank in MT?
Hellgate High School is ranked #96 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Hellgate High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hellgate 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 Hellgate High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hellgate High School has 36.3% math proficiency and 56.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hellgate High School a charter school?
No, Hellgate High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hellgate High School a Title I school?
No, Hellgate High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hellgate High School?
36.0% of students at Hellgate 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
- 90 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 50 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 100 Biker’s Paradise
- 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
- 1,312
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 95
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Missoula County
- Phone
- (406) 728-2402
- 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
- #1 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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