Missoula Elem

Every figure on PlainSchools is rendered directly from the source NCES, CRDC and F-33 federal records, no number is typed in by an editor. District totals are aggregated directly from the schools reporting under this district in the source records. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.

Missoula, Montana - 12 schools

An equity score of 37/100 ranks Missoula Elem #67 of 141 districts in Montana (state average 38). Derived live from how evenly resources are distributed across the district's schools.

At $12,776 per pupil, Missoula Elem ranks #287 of 394 Montana districts by per-pupil spending (Montana districts). NCES F-33 finance data.

5,280
Total Enrollment
12
Schools
$12,776
Per-Pupil Spending
Combined, Middle
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

Missoula Elem operates 12 public schools serving 5,280 students, placing it among the smaller districts in Montana. The school portfolio breaks down into 9 combined, 3 middle schools, a compact enough portfolio that families can compare every campus directly before they move, rent, or enrol. These enrollment and school figures come from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024-25 release, and the district is based in Missoula County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $12,776 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, in the lower half of 394 Montana districts by per-pupil spending. See how Montana compares in our national per-pupil spending analysis. The funding mix is 42.2% local, 39.6% state, and 18.2% federal, a balanced mix across local, state, and federal sources, spreading budget risk across funding cycles rather than concentrating it in one. The district's equity score is 37/100, ranked #67 of 141 in Montana against a state average of 38, in line with the typical spread seen across the state for how evenly funding reaches its schools.

a 324.1:1 student-counselor ratio, somewhat above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 39.3% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 81.1% White, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 2.1% African American across the district's schools. Its most demographically mixed campus is Franklin School, with a diversity index of 46.2/100.

Its largest campus is Washington Middle School, enrolling 669 students (13% of the district's total enrollment).

Missoula Elem school enrollment varies 2.4× across entities

Missoula Elem school enrollment ranges from 274 students (lowest) to 669 students (highest), a spread of 395 students. That relatively narrow ratio reflects an unusually homogeneous campus portfolio, most districts have a wider mix of school sizes. Per-school staffing ratios, programme availability, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same district based on enrollment shape.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Missoula Elem student-counselor ratio is 324:1 — near the typical range (US average ~408) — within the typical range for U.S. public districts

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment, districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Variation between sub-units within Missoula Elem is typically wider than the Missoula Elem-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

Missoula Elem chronic absenteeism rate is 39.3% — high (typically associated with higher-than-average disruption; recent CRDC data showed elevated rates persisting after pandemic-era schooling changes)

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason, illness, family obligations, or disengagement Higher values may reflect larger urban scale or recent resource constraints that have widened the gap.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22 NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

18.2%
Federal
39.6%
State
42.2%
Local

Funding Equity

37
Equity Score
67 / 141
State Rank
38
State Average

This district scores below average on funding equity. High reliance on local revenue or lower spending may contribute.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 12 schools in Missoula Elem.

White 81.1%
Hispanic or Latino 5.9%
African American 2.1%
Asian 1.8%
Multiracial 3.8%
Other 5.3%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Student-body diversity

Average diversity index 32.9/100

Average Simpson diversity index across Missoula Elem's schools, above the Montana average of 23.6.

Most mixed schools

  1. 1 Franklin School 46.2
  2. 2 Paxson School 40.4
  3. 3 Russell School 38.8
  4. 4 Lowell School 38.4
  5. 5 Porter Middle School 38.3

Programs & Resources

324.1:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
39.3%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in Missoula Elem

School Enrollment
Washington Middle School
669
Porter Middle School
579
Jeannette Rankin El
457
Lewis & Clark School
429
Hawthorne School
417
Paxson School
415
Chief Charlo School
414
Meadow Hill Middle School
414
Rattlesnake Elementary School
393
Russell School
375
Lowell School
354
Franklin School
274

How Missoula Elem Compares to Similar-Size Districts

The Montana districts closest to this one in total enrollment.

District Enrollment Spending Funding Mix
Helena Elem Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Billings H S Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Bozeman Elem Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Missoula H S Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Great Falls Elem Larger Similar spending Similar funding mix

Comparisons are relative to Missoula Elem's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data and the F-33 Finance Survey.

Nearby Districts in Montana

Top districts in the same state, compare side-by-side for enrollment, spending, and demographics.

Billings Elem
10,988 students · 28 schools · $12,537/pupil
Compare vs Missoula Elem →
Great Falls Elem
7,032 students · 17 schools · $12,418/pupil
Compare vs Missoula Elem →
Billings H S
5,610 students · 3 schools · $11,891/pupil
Compare vs Missoula Elem →
Helena Elem
5,225 students · 13 schools · $13,560/pupil
Compare vs Missoula Elem →
Bozeman Elem
4,651 students · 11 schools · $11,190/pupil
Compare vs Missoula Elem →

Compare Missoula Elem

See how this district compares to others in enrollment, spending, demographics, and academic resources.

Compare vs Billings Elem →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Missoula Elem?

Missoula Elem has 12 schools, including 3 middle, 9 combined. Total enrollment is 5,280 students.

How much does Missoula Elem spend per student?

Missoula Elem spends $12,776 per student. The district has an equity score of 37/100, ranking #67 in Montana.

What is the demographic composition of Missoula Elem?

Missoula Elem students are 81.1% White, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 2.1% African American, 1.8% Asian, averaged across 12 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for Missoula Elem?

Missoula Elem has an equity score of 37/100, ranking #67 out of 141 districts in Montana.