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#493 of 603 schools in MT

Porter Middle School

Middle School · Missoula Elem

909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801

Enrollment

590

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Missoula

#23 of 24

public schools

Montana middle schools

#110 of 143

In district

#12 of 12

Missoula Elem

About Porter Middle School

Porter Middle School is a regular public school located in Missoula, Montana. It serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 590 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1. The school boasts 37 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education in a small city setting.

Porter Middle School currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10, placing it at the 32nd percentile among Montana schools with a state ranking of #411 out of 605 schools. While academic scores are modest, the school is committed to fostering student development and growth. In ELA/Reading, 50% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 31% meet or exceed proficiency levels.

Porter Middle School offers a nurturing environment for middle schoolers as they navigate through their formative years. The setting provides a supportive community where teachers work closely with each student to ensure individual needs are met. With its location in the heart of Missoula, Porter Middle School is surrounded by cultural and recreational opportunities that complement its academic offerings.

Porter Middle School sits in a small city neighborhood within easy reach of downtown Missoula, offering students access to diverse community resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,776

Porter Middle School — Students at Porter Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
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
58%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
45%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Porter Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
18th percentile in MT
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Porter Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Meadow Hill Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Target Range 7-8 (rated 6.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Washington Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula 0.5 mi 6.8
FIRST LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Missoula 0.4 mi
Big Sky High School Missoula 0.8 mi 7.8
Franklin School Missoula 0.9 mi 5.7
Hawthorne School Missoula 1.2 mi 6.0
Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula 1.3 mi 7.0
SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula 1.4 mi 6.9
GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula 1.2 mi
Russell School Missoula 1.3 mi 7.5
BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula 1.5 mi 6.2
LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST ACADEMY Missoula 2.1 mi
Sentinel High School Missoula 1.5 mi 5.4
Chief Charlo School Missoula 2.3 mi 8.6
Washington Middle School Missoula 1.6 mi 5.5
MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula 1.9 mi 7.9
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula 1.8 mi 6.9
Lewis & Clark School Missoula 1.8 mi 7.5
MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula 2.7 mi
Target Range School Missoula 1.9 mi 6.7
Target Range 7-8 Missoula 1.9 mi 6.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Porter Middle School has a median household income of $55,022. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $393,400, with a median rent of $1,086/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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
Browning Middle School Browning, MT 5.1
Hellgate El Intermediate Missoula, MT 5.3
Will James Middle School Billings, MT 4.7
Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls, MT 5.4
East Middle School Butte, MT 4.6
Havre Middle School Havre, MT 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Porter Middle School

What grades does Porter Middle School serve?

Porter Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Porter Middle School?

Porter Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 590 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Porter Middle School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Porter Middle School rank in MT?

Porter Middle School is ranked #493 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Porter Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Porter Middle School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Porter Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Porter Middle School has 31.3% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Porter Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Porter Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

54.7% of students at Porter 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 (4,253/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
590
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Missoula County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Missoula Elem
District Enrollment
5,177
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,401
District Rank
#12 of 12

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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