- Enrollment
- 669
- Students per teacher
- 15.9:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Missoula, MT
Paxson School
Federal NCES profile for Paxson School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 40/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 301857000576
👥 S:T ratio 38
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 31
📋 Attendance 22
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Paxson School earns 40/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 80% of Montana schools.
- #4 of 12
- schools in Missoula · Resource Index
- 40
- Resource Index · Typical
- 15.4:1
- large classes for Montana
- 415
- students enrolled
Paxson School has class sizes larger than 80% of Montana schools. Computed live against every Montana school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Paxson School ranks #4 of 12 schools in Missoula, MT.
School address
District: Missoula Elem · Montana
NCES ID 301857000576 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-45 students YoY
Paxson School shrank from 463 students in 2022-23 to 418 in 2023-24 (-9.7%).
Teacher FTE added 27.3 → 29.8 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-45 students YoY 301857000576 · Missoula, MT Other · SMALL · TRAD
415 enr · 15.4:1 · RII 40
Nearest enrollment peer: Washington Middle School (669 students)
Paxson School shrank from 463 students in 2022-23 to 418 in 2023-24 (-9.7%). Teacher FTE added 27.3 → 29.8 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Montana schools → · Find another →
Paxson School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Washington Mid
Washington Middle School
669 students
- Porter Middle
Porter Middle School
579 students
- Jeannette Rank
Jeannette Rankin El
457 students
- Lewis & Clark
Lewis & Clark School
429 students
- Hawthorne Scho
Hawthorne School
417 students
- This school
Paxson School
415 students
What this shows Paxson School reports 415 students on the CCD universe file.
How Paxson School compares
Paxson School is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Montana and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Montana | Montana avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.4:1 | ▲ 31% | 11.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Enrollment | 415 | top 11% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.4:1
Leaner classes than 43% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
415
Bigger than 50% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Staffing depth
15.4:1
students per teacher
- 31% above state mean
Top 80% in Montana - lower ratio than 20% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
31.3%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$13,401
per pupil, district-wide
- below Montana avg of $19,859
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.2 FTE
Per 346 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
3
in-school suspensions + 2 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.7 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 1.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 76.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 8.9%
Hispanic or Latino 8.0%
Two or More 4.6%
African American 1.7%
Asian 0.5%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%
Largest group: White at 76.1% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 40.4/100
Simpson diversity index - at 40.4, Paxson School is more mixed than the Montana school average of 23.6.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Missoula Elem reports $13,401 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Paxson School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Middle School | Larger | No free-lunch data | Similar S:T ratio |
| Porter Middle School | Larger | No free-lunch data | Similar S:T ratio |
| Jeannette Rankin El | Similar size | No free-lunch data | Similar S:T ratio |
| Lewis & Clark School | Similar size | No free-lunch data | Lower S:T ratio |
| Hawthorne School | Similar size | No free-lunch data | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Paxson School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 579
- Students per teacher
- 15.2:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 457
- Students per teacher
- 16.3:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
- Enrollment
- 429
- Students per teacher
- 13.8:1
- Resource Index
- 39/100
- Enrollment
- 417
- Students per teacher
- 13.9:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
Similar other schools in Missoula
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Jeannette Rankin El
Standard public school
457 students 16.3:1 students per teacher
Lewis & Clark School
Standard public school
429 students 13.8:1 students per teacher
Hawthorne School
Standard public school
417 students 13.9:1 students per teacher
Chief Charlo School
Standard public school
414 students 14.3:1 students per teacher
Target Range School
Standard public school
410 students 17.1:1 students per teacher
Rattlesnake Elementary School
Standard public school
393 students 11.2:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~415 students)
Frequently asked questions about Paxson School
How many students attend Paxson School?
Paxson School has 415 students enrolled. It is a public school in Missoula, MT. CCD year-over-year: 463 (2022-23) → 418 (2023-24), down 45.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paxson School?
The student-teacher ratio at Paxson School is 15.4:1, which is 31% higher than the Montana average of 11.8:1 and 2% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Paxson School?
The largest demographic group at Paxson School is White at 76.1% of enrollment, in Missoula, MT.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Paxson School?
Paxson School has a Resource Investment Index of 40/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Paxson School rank among schools in Missoula?
By Resource Investment Index, Paxson School ranks #4 of 12 schools in Missoula, MT. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Missoula on the city page.
What other schools are in Missoula Elem?
Besides Paxson School, Missoula Elem also operates Washington Middle School (669 students), Porter Middle School (579 students), and Jeannette Rankin El (457 students). See the Missoula Elem district page for the complete list.