Skip to main content

Below Average

#530 of 603 schools in MT

Polson Middle School

Middle School · Polson Elem · Polson, MT

A Polson Elem middle school where students score 8 points below what's typical for similar communities.

111 4th Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860

  • Math 25% proficient (2022)
  • Reading 37% proficient (2022)
  • 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio

Academics

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, district spending per student, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
District spending per student$12,918
Chronic Absenteeism55.2%

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

How we calculate scores →

2022 EdFacts proficiency

Most recent published year. School vs. MT average.

Math Proficiency25%(2022 EdFacts)
School
State
Not reported(2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency37%(2022 EdFacts)
School
State
Not reported(2022 EdFacts)

Trend

↓ Declining

Proficiency has fallen 16 points since 2019, to 31% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).

Show all 14 years
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%

Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 45% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 60% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Based on 28 test records from MT state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).

Equity & diversity

Shown separately, not included in the overall score

Free/reduced lunch

48.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

The neighborhood

Where Polson Middle School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.

Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.

Getting around & local context

  • Walk 24Car-Dependent
  • Bike 27Somewhat Bikeable
  • City Safety: High4,159/100K

Powered byWalk Score

FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Polson), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details

Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.

Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)

Median income

$59,883

Median home value

$386,100

Median rent

$932/mo

College educated

33%

Homeownership

69.4%

Poverty rate

16.5%

ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 59860; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.

Programs & students

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented ProgramAvailable
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students.·CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22

Compare nearby

Nearby same-level schools

1 from a 5-mile search

SchoolScoreGradesDistanceEnrollmentCompare
Mission Valley Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition7.5K–124.1 mi95Compare →

Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.

Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.

Polson Elem

Schools in district
3
Rank in district
#3 of 3
District spending per student
$12,918NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
District child poverty rate
16.8%Census SAIPE · 2024

Polson Middle School is listed in Polson Elem; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.

About Polson Middle School

Polson Middle School is a public middle school in Polson, MT, part of Polson Elem, serving approximately 495 students in grades 5th-8th with a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #530 of 603 schools in MT. State assessment records show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
495
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
55.2%
Area population (ZIP 59860)
11,580
Area average commute
18.8 min
Area median age
46.8
About this school's data

Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.

School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
  • Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
MySchoolScout rating and rank
MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
  • Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
  • Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
Math proficiency
State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
  • Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
  • Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
  • Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
Reading/ELA proficiency
State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
  • Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
  • Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
  • Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
Student progress (growth)
NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
  • Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
  • Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
  • Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
  • Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
  • Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 59860; this does not measure the attendance area.
Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
  • Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
  • Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.

Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24

About our data · How we calculate scores

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.