For the 2025-26 school year, there are 21 public preschools serving 5,744 students in Missoula County, MT. The top ranked public preschools in Missoula County, MT are Rattlesnake Elementary School, Jeannette Rankin Elementary School and Chief Charlo School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Missoula County, MT public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the Montana public pre school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 47% statewide average). Pre schools in Missoula County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Montana public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public preschool average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Best ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Preschools in Missoula County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rattlesnake Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1220 Pineview Drive
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Jeannette Rankin Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5150 Bigfork Rd.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4010
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4010
Gr: PK-5 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Chief Charlo School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5600 Longview Dr
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4005
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4005
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Paxson School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
101 Evans
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4055
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4055
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
Lewis & Clark School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2901 Park
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4035
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4035
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Hawthorne School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
550 Hiberta St.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4025
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4025
Gr: PK-5 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Russell School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3216 Russell Street
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4080
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4080
Gr: PK-5 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #88.
Sunset School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5024 Sunset Hill Road
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5542
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5542
Gr: PK-8 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #99.
Desmet School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6355 Padre Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Gr: PK-5 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1010.
Potomac School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
29750 Potomac Road
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5581
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 244-5581
Gr: PK-6 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1111.
Target Range School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4095 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Gr: PK-6 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1212.
Swan Valley School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6423 Highway 83
Condon, MT 59826
(406) 754-2320
Condon, MT 59826
(406) 754-2320
Gr: PK-6 | 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1313.
Frenchtown Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
16495 Main Street
Frenchtown, MT 59834
(406) 626-2620
Frenchtown, MT 59834
(406) 626-2620
Gr: PK-3 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Clinton School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
20397 E Mullan Rd
Clinton, MT 59825
(406) 825-3113
Clinton, MT 59825
(406) 825-3113
Gr: PK-6 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Lowell School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1215 Phillips St
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4040
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4040
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1616.
Woodman School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
18470 Highway 12 West
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6770
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6770
Gr: PK-6 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1717.
Franklin School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1910 S. 11th St
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4020
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4020
Gr: PK-5 | 282 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1818.
Bonner School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
9045 Hwy 200 E
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 258-6151
Bonner, MT 59823
(406) 258-6151
Gr: PK-5 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1919.
Lolo Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
11395 Highway 93 South
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6686
Lolo, MT 59847
(406) 273-6686
Gr: PK-4 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2020.
Seeley Lake Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
200 School Lane
Seeley Lake, MT 59868
(406) 677-2265
Seeley Lake, MT 59868
(406) 677-2265
Gr: PK-6 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
2365 Flynne Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Gr: PK-1 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Missoula County ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
215 South 6th West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Gr: K-3 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
215 South 6th West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4065
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4065
Gr: 4-5 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Missoula County, MT?
The top ranked public preschools in Missoula County, MT include Rattlesnake Elementary School, Jeannette Rankin Elementary School and Chief Charlo School. Missoula County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Montana.
How many public preschools are located in Missoula County?
21 public preschools are located in Missoula County.
What is the racial composition of students in Missoula County?
Missoula County public preschools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public preschools average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Which public preschools in Missoula County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Missoula County include: Bonner School vs. Desmet School, Desmet School vs. Bonner School, Russell School vs. Franklin School
Recent Articles
Gifted & Talented Programs in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools
Explore opportunities and controversies in gifted & talented programs—equity, outcomes, and models shaping public education in 2025.
Evaluating STEM in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools: A Parent & District Guide
A guide to evaluating STEM programs in public school districts—metrics, best practices, equity, and 2025 trends for parents and community stakeholders.
Special Education in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools: Understanding IEPs & Services
What parents need to know about IEPs, services, rights, and how to get the best support in public schools in 2025.
