Carbon County Schools & Education
Carbon County, Montana
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
63/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
88.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,775
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,334
School Score
63/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#15
of 56 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Carbon County
School Verdict
Carbon County performs at an average level with a school score of 63/100 and a solid graduation rate of 88.4%.
Funding Context
Carbon County spends $9,775 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Carbon County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 15% above the Montana average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Carbon County, Montana
Extensive Rural School Infrastructure
Carbon County manages 19 public schools across nine districts, supporting 1,414 students. The system is evenly distributed with seven elementary, six middle, and six high schools serving its various communities.
High Performance and Strong Investment
The 88.4% graduation rate surpasses both state and national averages, reflecting the county's school score of 58.7. Spending reaches $9,775 per pupil, which is well above the Montana state average of $9,334.
Bridger and Red Lodge Communities
Bridger K-12 Schools is one of the larger districts with 199 students across three schools. The county relies entirely on traditional public schools, with no charter options currently available.
Intimate Classrooms in the Mountains
Every school in the county operates in a rural locale, resulting in a small average school size of 74 students. Mountain View School is the most populated campus with 205 students, ensuring every child receives significant individual attention.
Quality Education in a Rural Setting
High graduation rates make Carbon County a premier choice for education-focused homebuyers. Explore residential options in Red Lodge or Bridger to benefit from some of the state's most successful small schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
19
in Carbon County
Total Enrollment
1,414
students
School Districts
9
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
9 School Districts in Carbon County
Red Lodge Elem
Joliet Elem
Bridger K-12 Schools
Red Lodge H S
Joliet H S
Roberts K-12 Schools
Fromberg K-12
Belfry K-12 Schools
Luther Elem
19 Public Schools in Carbon County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View School | Red Lodge Elem | PK–5 | Primary | 205 |
| Red Lodge High School | Red Lodge H S | 9–12 | High | 176 |
| Joliet School | Joliet Elem | PK–5 | Primary | 175 |
| Joliet High School | Joliet H S | 9–12 | High | 139 |
| Roosevelt Junior High | Red Lodge Elem | 6–8 | Middle | 123 |
| Bridger Elementary School | Bridger K-12 Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 118 |
| Joliet Middle School | Joliet Elem | 6–8 | Middle | 95 |
| Roberts School | Roberts K-12 Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 61 |
| Bridger High School | Bridger K-12 Schools | 9–12 | High | 56 |
| Fromberg School | Fromberg K-12 | PK–5 | Primary | 53 |
| Roberts High School | Roberts K-12 Schools | 9–12 | High | 43 |
| Belfry School | Belfry K-12 Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 36 |
| Fromberg High School | Fromberg K-12 | 9–12 | High | 33 |
| Bridger 7-8 | Bridger K-12 Schools | 7–8 | Middle | 25 |
| Fromberg Middle School | Fromberg K-12 | 6–8 | Middle | 20 |
| Roberts 7-8 | Roberts K-12 Schools | 7–8 | Middle | 18 |
| Belfry High School | Belfry K-12 Schools | 9–12 | High | 17 |
| Luther School | Luther Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 11 |
| Belfry 7-8 | Belfry K-12 Schools | 7–8 | Middle | 10 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,775
State avg $9,334
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Carbon County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Carbon County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Carbon County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Carbon County?
How much does Carbon County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Carbon County, Montana — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Carbon County, Montana?
Carbon County manages 19 public schools across nine districts, supporting 1,414 students. The system is evenly distributed with seven elementary, six middle, and six high schools serving its various communities.
How do schools in Carbon County perform academically?
The 88.4% graduation rate surpasses both state and national averages, reflecting the county's school score of 58.7. Spending reaches $9,775 per pupil, which is well above the Montana state average of $9,334.
What are the major school districts in Carbon County, Montana?
Bridger K-12 Schools is one of the larger districts with 199 students across three schools. The county relies entirely on traditional public schools, with no charter options currently available.
What is the school experience like in Carbon County?
Every school in the county operates in a rural locale, resulting in a small average school size of 74 students. Mountain View School is the most populated campus with 205 students, ensuring every child receives significant individual attention.
How can I find homes near good schools in Carbon County, Montana?
High graduation rates make Carbon County a premier choice for education-focused homebuyers. Explore residential options in Red Lodge or Bridger to benefit from some of the state's most successful small schools.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.