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Excellent

#62 of 603 schools in MT

Top 10% in state

Lowell School

Elementary School · Missoula Elem

909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801

Enrollment

325

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Missoula

#7 of 24

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#46 of 319

In district

#4 of 12

Missoula Elem

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Lowell School

Lowell School is an elementary school located in Missoula, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 325 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 24 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education. The MySchoolScout rating for Lowell School is 6.8 out of 10, placing it in the 82nd percentile among Montana schools at #112 out of 605.

In terms of academic performance, students show proficiency rates of 42% in ELA/Reading and 32% in Math across all grades, indicating areas for growth. Despite these numbers, Lowell School is focused on continuous improvement to help each student reach their full potential. The school's small city setting offers a tight-knit community where students benefit from personalized attention and strong connections within the local neighborhood.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,776

Lowell School — Students at Lowell School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
47%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Lowell School Compares

See how Lowell School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
90th percentile in MT
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lowell School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rattlesnake Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Paxson School (rated 8.2/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula 0.9 mi 7.9
LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula 1.3 mi 6.8
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula 1.4 mi 6.9
SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula 1.2 mi 6.9
Hellgate High School Missoula 1.4 mi 7.8
MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula 1.3 mi
Franklin School Missoula 1.6 mi 5.7
Paxson School Missoula 1.8 mi 8.2
Washington Middle School Missoula 2.1 mi 5.5
Sentinel High School Missoula 2.3 mi 5.4
Lewis & Clark School Missoula 2.5 mi 7.5
GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula 2.7 mi
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula 2.2 mi 6.8
Russell School Missoula 2.8 mi 7.5
CLARK FORK SCHOOL Missoula 2.1 mi
Rattlesnake Elementary School Missoula 2.1 mi 8.3
Porter Middle School Missoula 2.5 mi 5.0
BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula 3.1 mi 6.2
Hawthorne School Missoula 2.3 mi 6.0
Hellgate El Primary Grades Missoula 2.4 mi 7.3

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 Lowell 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 Elem Lower Grades Missoula, MT 8.1
Central Elementary Sidney, MT 8.2
Fred Moodry Intermediate Anaconda, MT 8.0
Frenchtown Elementary School Frenchtown, MT 8.2
Jefferson School Helena, MT 8.2
Paxson School Missoula, MT 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lowell School

What grades does Lowell School serve?

Lowell School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Lowell School?

Lowell School has an enrollment of approximately 325 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lowell School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lowell School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lowell School rank in MT?

Lowell School is ranked #62 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Lowell School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lowell School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Lowell School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lowell School has 32.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lowell School a charter school?

No, Lowell School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lowell School a Title I school?

No, Lowell School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lowell School?

74.5% of students at Lowell 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
89 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,253/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Missoula). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
325
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Missoula County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Missoula Elem
District Enrollment
5,177
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,401
District Rank
#4 of 12

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.

Read our full methodology

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