Excellent
#54 of 603 schools in MT
Top 9% in state
Paxson School
Elementary School · Missoula Elem
909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Missoula
#4 of 24
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#40 of 319
In district
#3 of 12
Missoula Elem
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Paxson School
Paxson School is a public elementary school in Missoula, MT, part of the Missoula Elem. The school serves approximately 418 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 91.2th percentile among MT schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 58% proficiency in math and 64% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $55,022, where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Paxson School — Students at Paxson School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.6%
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: 8.2/10.
How Paxson School Compares
See how Paxson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 64% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paxson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chief Charlo School (rated 8.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Rattlesnake Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lowell School (rated 8.1/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hellgate High School Missoula | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Washington Middle School Missoula | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Lewis & Clark School Missoula | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Sentinel High School Missoula | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Russell School Missoula | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula | 1.4 mi | — |
| Lowell School Missoula | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Franklin School Missoula | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Porter Middle School Missoula | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| CLARK FORK SCHOOL Missoula | 2.7 mi | — |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Rattlesnake Elementary School Missoula | 2.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula | 2.6 mi | 7.0 |
| MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula | 2.9 mi | — |
| Chief Charlo School Missoula | 3.0 mi | 8.6 |
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 Paxson 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Elementary Sidney, MT | 8.2 |
| Frenchtown Elementary School Frenchtown, MT | 8.2 |
| Hellgate Elem Lower Grades Missoula, MT | 8.1 |
| Lowell School Missoula, MT | 8.1 |
| Rattlesnake Elementary School Missoula, MT | 8.3 |
| Fred Moodry Intermediate Anaconda, MT | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paxson School
What grades does Paxson School serve?
Paxson School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Paxson School?
Paxson School has an enrollment of approximately 418 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paxson School?
The student-teacher ratio at Paxson School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paxson School rank in MT?
Paxson School is ranked #54 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Paxson School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paxson School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Paxson School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paxson School has 57.7% math proficiency and 64.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paxson School a charter school?
No, Paxson School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paxson School a Title I school?
No, Paxson School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paxson School?
36.6% of students at Paxson 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
- 79 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 44 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 75 Very 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
- 418
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Missoula County
- Phone
- (406) 542-4055
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Missoula Elem- District Enrollment
- 5,177
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,401
- District Rank
- #3 of 12
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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