Average
#25 of 60 private schools in MT
Top 40% of private schools
Sussex School
Elementary School
1800 S 2ND ST W, Missoula, MT 59801
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 23 schools in Missoula. Learn more
Enrollment
120
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
120
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Missoula
#3 of 6
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#12 of 24
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Sussex School
Sussex School serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Missoula, Montana, within Missoula County, operating in a small city setting in the heart of western Montana. The school enrolls 120 students and employs 15 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 7.9 to 1 that allows for meaningful, individualized engagement across elementary and middle school grades. No standardized test score data or MySchoolScout rating is currently available for this school.
Located in the 59801 ZIP code, the surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $51,494 and a median home value of $354,900. The ZIP population is approximately 31,094 residents, with 49 percent holding a bachelor's degree or higher and a poverty rate of 18.6 percent, reflecting the economic diversity of central Missoula, which mixes university households with lower-income working families. Missoula is one of Montana's most culturally vibrant cities, home to the University of Montana and situated along the Clark Fork River at the convergence of five mountain valleys, offering Sussex School students a community enriched by outdoor recreation, arts, and a strong academic culture.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 120 students, Sussex School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, Sussex School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Sussex School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $18,050
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $17,611
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.98x — Tight
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 84%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $4.0M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 120 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Sussex School compares to 20 public schools serving similar grades in Missoula, MT
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Sussex School (this school) | 6.9 |
| Franklin School | 5.7 |
| Lowell School | 8.1 |
| Hawthorne School | 6.0 |
| Porter Middle School | 5.0 |
| Washington Middle School | 5.5 |
| Paxson School | 8.2 |
| Russell School | 7.5 |
| Lewis & Clark School | 7.5 |
| Hellgate El Primary Grades | 7.3 |
| Hellgate Elem Lower Grades | 8.1 |
| Hellgate El Intermediate | 5.3 |
| Hellgate Middle School | 8.1 |
| Meadow Hill Middle School | 7.0 |
| Target Range School | 6.7 |
| Target Range 7-8 | 6.0 |
| Rattlesnake Elementary School | 8.3 |
| Chief Charlo School | 8.6 |
| Jeannette Rankin El | 7.3 |
| DeSmet School | 9.6 |
| DeSmet 6-8 | 5.3 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MT.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MT
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1800 S 2ND ST W, Missoula, MT 59801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sussex School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Paxson School (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lowell School (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin School Missoula | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Lowell School Missoula | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula | 1.5 mi | — |
| Porter Middle School Missoula | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Washington Middle School Missoula | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Sentinel High School Missoula | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula | 1.8 mi | — |
| Hawthorne School Missoula | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Russell School Missoula | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Hellgate High School Missoula | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Missoula | 1.7 mi | — |
| Paxson School Missoula | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Lewis & Clark School Missoula | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Big Sky High School Missoula | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula | 2.6 mi | 7.0 |
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 Sussex 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairview School Fairview, MT | 6.9 |
| Pioneer School Billings, MT | 6.9 |
| Potomac School Bonner, MT | 6.9 |
| Smith Valley Primary Schl Kalispell, MT | 6.9 |
| Anna Jeffries Elementary Cut Bank, MT | 7.0 |
| Bissell School Whitefish, MT | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sussex School
What grades does Sussex School serve?
Sussex School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Sussex School?
Sussex School has an enrollment of approximately 120 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sussex School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sussex School is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Sussex School rank in MT?
Sussex School is ranked #25 out of 60 private schools in MT.
What is Sussex School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sussex School has a composite rating of 6.9 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.
Is Sussex School a private school?
Yes, Sussex School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Sussex School a religious school?
No, Sussex School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,253/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Missoula). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 120
- Gender Split
- 50% M / 50% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.3 hours
- Days Per Year
- 168 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- MISSOULA
- Phone
- (406) 549-8327
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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