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Average

#446 of 603 schools in MT

Polson High School

High School · Polson H S

111 4th Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860

Enrollment

547

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#446 of 603

In Polson

#3 of 5

public schools

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Polson High School

5.2/10

High School in Polson · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Polson Middle School

4.4/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cherry Valley School

5.2/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Polson High School

Polson High School is a public high school in Polson, MT, part of Polson H S. Polson High School serves approximately 547 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Polson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #446 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Polson High School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts below MT schools
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • MT avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

49% of students at Polson High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-3.88 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness4.4Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation7.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,395
Chronic Absenteeism48.6%

Polson High School — Students at Polson High School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
42%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Polson High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
26th percentile in MT
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
5.4/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
7.9% participation·State avg: 2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

111 4th Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Polson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. St Ignatius High School (rated 6.3/10, 25.1 miles away, in nearby St. Ignatius), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charlo High School (rated 5.1/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Charlo), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ronan High School (rated 3.7/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Ronan), a more accessible option. For more schools in Polson, see our Polson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Polson Middle School Polson 0.1 mi 4.4
Cherry Valley School Polson 0.7 mi 5.2
Linderman School Polson 1.0 mi 7.6
MISSION VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Polson 4.0 mi 7.5
Pablo Elementary Ronan 5.8 mi 5.5
Two Eagle River School Pablo 6.0 mi
Valley View School Polson 6.3 mi 3.5
K William Harvey Elem Ronan 10.5 mi 5.7
Ronan High School Ronan 10.6 mi 3.7
Ronan Middle School Ronan 10.7 mi 5.0
MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ronan 10.8 mi
Dayton School Dayton 14.0 mi 7.2
Charlo Elementary Charlo 16.4 mi 8.9
Charlo 6-8 Charlo 16.4 mi 6.9
Charlo High School Charlo 16.4 mi 5.1
Lakeside Elementary School Somers 23.8 mi 7.9
60281 HILLSIDE RD Saint Ignatius 24.2 mi
St Ignatius Elementary School St. Ignatius 25.1 mi 5.3
St Ignatius High School St. Ignatius 25.1 mi 6.3
St Ignatius Middle School St. Ignatius 25.1 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,883

Median Home Value

$386,100

Median Rent

$932/mo

Population

11,580

College Educated

33%

Homeownership

69.4%

Avg Commute

18.8 min

Poverty Rate

16.5%

Median Age

46.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Frenchtown High School Frenchtown, MT 5.1
Stevensville High School Stevensville, MT 5.1
Fergus High School Lewistown, MT 5.0
Havre High School Havre, MT 5.0
Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls, MT 5.5
Corvallis High School Corvallis, MT 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Polson High School

What grades does Polson High School serve?

Polson High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Polson High School?

Polson High School has an enrollment of approximately 547 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Polson High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Polson High School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Polson High School rank in MT?

Polson High School ranks #446 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Polson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Polson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Polson High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Polson High School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Polson High School a charter school?

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

Is Polson High School a Title I school?

No, Polson High School is not currently a Title I school.

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

40.0% of students at Polson 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
547
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.6%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Polson H S
District Enrollment
547
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,395
District Rank
#1 of 1

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