Excellent
#46 of 603 schools in MT
Top 8% in state
Paxson School
Elementary School · Missoula Elem
909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#46 of 603
In Missoula
#5 of 24
public schools
In district
#4 of 12
Missoula Elem
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Paxson School
Elementary School in Missoula · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hellgate High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Loyola Sacred Heart High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Paxson School
Paxson School is a public elementary school in Missoula, MT, part of Missoula Elem. Paxson School serves approximately 418 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Paxson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #46 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Paxson School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.6 · Excellent
- District avg 7.9
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Paxson 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
Paxson School — Students at Paxson School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
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 26 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: 8.9/10.
How Paxson School Compares
See how Paxson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Rattlesnake Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lewis & Clark School (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chief Charlo School (rated 8.0/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable 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 | 6.5 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| Lewis & Clark School Missoula | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Sentinel High School Missoula | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Russell School Missoula | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula | 1.4 mi | — |
| Lowell School Missoula | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Franklin School Missoula | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Porter Middle School Missoula | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| CLARK FORK SCHOOL Missoula | 2.7 mi | — |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Rattlesnake Elementary School Missoula | 2.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula | 2.9 mi | — |
| Chief Charlo School Missoula | 3.0 mi | 8.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Jeannette Rankin El Missoula, MT | 8.6 |
| Lewis & Clark School Missoula, MT | 8.6 |
| Ridge View Elementary Belgrade, MT | 8.6 |
| Hawthorne School Missoula, MT | 8.5 |
| Smith School Helena, MT | 8.5 |
| Longfellow School Bozeman, MT | 8.8 |
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 ranks #46 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Paxson School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paxson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Paxson School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Paxson School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.8%
- Phone
- (406) 542-4055
Resources & Links
District
Missoula Elem- District Enrollment
- 5,177
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,401
- District Rank
- #4 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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