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Below Average

#530 of 603 schools in MT

Polson Middle School

Middle School · Polson Elem

111 4th Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860

Enrollment

495

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

4.4

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#530 of 603

In Polson

#4 of 5

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Polson Elem

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Polson Middle School

4.4/10

Middle School in Polson · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Polson High School

5.2/10

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

Cherry Valley School

5.2/10

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

About Polson Middle School

Polson Middle School is a public middle school in Polson, MT, part of Polson Elem. Polson Middle School serves approximately 495 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Polson Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #530 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Polson Middle School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.6 pts below MT schools
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

55% of students at Polson Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency31% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,918
Chronic Absenteeism55.2%

Polson Middle School — Students at Polson Middle School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 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
65%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
44%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
54%
2020*
Math
23%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
37%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Polson Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
12th percentile in MT
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
55.2%

Programs & Offerings

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 Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Charlo 6-8 (rated 6.9/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Charlo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ronan Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Ronan), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, St Ignatius Middle School (rated 4.3/10, 25.2 miles away, in nearby St. Ignatius), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Polson, see our Polson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Polson High School Polson 0.1 mi 5.2
Cherry Valley School Polson 0.5 mi 5.2
Linderman School Polson 0.9 mi 7.6
MISSION VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Polson 4.1 mi 7.5
Pablo Elementary Ronan 5.9 mi 5.5
Two Eagle River School Pablo 6.1 mi
Valley View School Polson 6.4 mi 3.5
K William Harvey Elem Ronan 10.7 mi 5.7
Ronan High School Ronan 10.7 mi 3.7
Ronan Middle School Ronan 10.8 mi 5.0
MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ronan 11.0 mi
Dayton School Dayton 13.8 mi 7.2
Charlo Elementary Charlo 16.6 mi 8.9
Charlo 6-8 Charlo 16.6 mi 6.9
Charlo High School Charlo 16.6 mi 5.1
Lakeside Elementary School Somers 23.7 mi 7.9
60281 HILLSIDE RD Saint Ignatius 24.3 mi
St Ignatius Elementary School St. Ignatius 25.2 mi 5.3
St Ignatius High School St. Ignatius 25.2 mi 6.3
St Ignatius Middle School St. Ignatius 25.2 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
Browning Middle School Browning, MT 4.4
Hardin Middle School Hardin, MT 4.4
East Valley Middle School East Helena, MT 4.7
Laurel Middle School Laurel, MT 4.1
Will James Middle School Billings, MT 4.0
Hamilton Middle School Hamilton, MT 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Polson Middle School

What grades does Polson Middle School serve?

Polson Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Polson Middle School?

Polson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 495 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Polson Middle School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Polson Middle School rank in MT?

Polson Middle School ranks #530 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Polson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Polson Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Polson Middle School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Polson Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Polson Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

48.9% of students at Polson Middle 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
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
495
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
55.2%

District

Polson Elem
District Enrollment
1,124
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,918
District Rank
#3 of 3

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