Average
#445 of 603 schools in MT
Sentinel High School
High School · Missoula H S
909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801
Enrollment
1,386
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,386
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Missoula
#20 of 24
public schools
Montana high schools
#103 of 141
In district
#3 of 4
Missoula H S
Academic performance
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Sentinel High School
Sentinel High School serves 1,386 students in grades 9-12 in Missoula, Montana, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1 across 87 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #268 out of 605 Montana high schools, placing it in the 56th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. Academically, Sentinel shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 55% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, with 32% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school's academic score of 6.7 out of 10 reflects these mixed results as the community focuses on supporting student development across all subject areas. The school serves a diverse economic community in the 59801 zip code, where the median household income is $51,494 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
With a poverty rate of 18.6%, many families face economic challenges, though the area's median home value of $354,900 reflects Missoula's growing desirability. Sentinel High School operates within Missoula's vibrant small city environment, surrounded by Montana's distinctive mountain landscape and close-knit community atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
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Sentinel High School — Students at Sentinel High School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.2/10.
How Sentinel High School Compares
See how Sentinel High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sentinel High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hellgate High School (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Middle School Missoula | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Lewis & Clark School Missoula | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Russell School Missoula | 0.5 mi | 7.5 |
| GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula | 0.5 mi | — |
| BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Paxson School Missoula | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Hellgate High School Missoula | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Franklin School Missoula | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Porter Middle School Missoula | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Lowell School Missoula | 2.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Chief Charlo School Missoula | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Missoula | 1.8 mi | — |
| LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST ACADEMY Missoula | 2.4 mi | — |
| Hawthorne School Missoula | 2.4 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 Sentinel High 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 |
|---|---|
| Belgrade High School Belgrade, MT | 5.0 |
| Billings Sr High School Billings, MT | 5.0 |
| Gallatin High School Bozeman, MT | 6.1 |
| Skyview High School Billings, MT | 4.7 |
| Glacier High School Kalispell, MT | 6.3 |
| Great Falls High School Great Falls, MT | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sentinel High School
What grades does Sentinel High School serve?
Sentinel High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Sentinel High School?
Sentinel High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,386 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sentinel High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sentinel High 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 Sentinel High School rank in MT?
Sentinel High School is ranked #445 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Sentinel High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sentinel High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Sentinel High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sentinel High School has 36.0% math proficiency and 59.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sentinel High School a charter school?
No, Sentinel High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sentinel High School a Title I school?
No, Sentinel High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sentinel High School?
31.2% of students at Sentinel 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 64 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 44 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 72 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,253/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Missoula). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,386
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 87
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Missoula County
- Phone
- (406) 728-2403
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Missoula H S- District Enrollment
- 4,026
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,142
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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.
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