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Below Average

#558 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

4.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Polson

#5 of 5

public schools

Montana middle schools

#131 of 143

In district

#3 of 3

Polson Elem

About Polson Middle School

Polson Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Polson, Montana, serving students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 495 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school ensures that each student receives individualized attention. The campus is situated at 111 4th Avenue East, making it easily accessible within the community.

Polson Middle School's academic performance currently places it in the lower quartile among Montana schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.0 out of 10. In reading and language arts, 43% of students are proficient or above, while in math, that number is slightly lower at 29%. The school continues to focus on student development with room for academic growth.

Polson Middle School is located in a remote town setting, providing a close-knit community atmosphere where students can thrive and teachers can form strong relationships.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,418

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 29.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
39%
ELA
54%
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: 3.4/10.

How Polson Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
8th percentile in MT
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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. Ronan Middle School (rated 6.4/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Ronan), which scores notably higher. Another option is St Ignatius Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 25.2 miles away, in nearby St. Ignatius), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Charlo 6-8 (rated 4.1/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Charlo), 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 5.6
Cherry Valley School Polson 0.5 mi 5.9
Linderman School Polson 0.9 mi 8.4
MISSION VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Polson 4.1 mi 7.5
Pablo Elementary Ronan 5.9 mi 4.4
Two Eagle River School Pablo 6.1 mi
Valley View School Polson 6.4 mi 7.9
K William Harvey Elem Ronan 10.7 mi 4.7
Ronan High School Ronan 10.7 mi 4.2
Ronan Middle School Ronan 10.8 mi 6.4
MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ronan 11.0 mi
Dayton School Dayton 13.8 mi 8.0
Charlo Elementary Charlo 16.6 mi 7.8
Charlo 6-8 Charlo 16.6 mi 4.1
Charlo High School Charlo 16.6 mi 7.1
Lakeside Elementary School Somers 23.7 mi 7.8
60281 HILLSIDE RD Saint Ignatius 24.3 mi
St Ignatius Elementary School St. Ignatius 25.2 mi 7.8
St Ignatius High School St. Ignatius 25.2 mi 5.6
St Ignatius Middle School St. Ignatius 25.2 mi 5.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Polson Middle School has a median household income of $59,883. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $386,100, with a median rent of $932/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Medicine Crow Middle School Billings, MT 4.3
East Valley Middle School East Helena, MT 3.9
East Middle School Butte, MT 4.6
Will James Middle School Billings, MT 4.7
Porter Middle School Missoula, MT 5.0
Browning Middle School Browning, MT 5.1

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 is ranked #558 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Polson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Polson Middle School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Polson Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polson Middle School has 29.0% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (4,159/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Polson). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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