Jefferson County Schools & Education
Jefferson County, Montana
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
54/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
89.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,909
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,334
School Score
54/100
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
#24
of 56 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Jefferson County
School Verdict
Jefferson County performs at an average level with a school score of 54/100 and a solid graduation rate of 89.2%.
Funding Context
At $7,909 per pupil, Jefferson County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Jefferson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 3% below the Montana average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 5.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 15% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Jefferson County, Montana
High-Performing Rural School System
Jefferson County educates 1,885 students within 12 public schools across eight districts. The system is comprised of six elementary, four middle, and two high schools serving several growing rural communities.
Outpacing State and National Averages
Jefferson County boasts an impressive 89.2% graduation rate, exceeding both the Montana state average and the national benchmark of 87.0%. They achieve these results with a per-pupil expenditure of $7,909, showing high efficiency compared to national spending.
Montana City and Clancy Lead Enrollment
Montana City Elementary is the largest district with 475 students, followed closely by Clancy Elementary with 385. Traditional public schools make up the entire landscape here, with 0% charter school participation.
Modern Rural Learning Environments
All 12 schools are classified as rural, yet they maintain a healthy average size of 157 students. Clancy School is the largest in the county with 304 students, while Whitehall Elementary also serves a significant cohort of 202.
Great Schools Near Helena and Beyond
With graduation rates higher than the state average, Jefferson County is a top choice for families. Montana City and Clancy are particularly popular for home buyers who want excellent schools within a short drive of the state capital.
School Overview
Total Schools
12
in Jefferson County
Total Enrollment
1,885
students
School Districts
8
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
8 School Districts in Jefferson County
Montana City Elem
Clancy Elem
Whitehall Elem
Jefferson H S
Boulder Elem
Whitehall H S
Cardwell Elem
Basin Elem
12 Public Schools in Jefferson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clancy School | Clancy Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 304 |
| Montana City School | Montana City Elem | PK–5 | Primary | 292 |
| Jefferson High School | Jefferson H S | 9–12 | High | 284 |
| Whitehall Elementary | Whitehall Elem | PK–5 | Primary | 202 |
| Montana City Middle Schl | Montana City Elem | 6–8 | Middle | 183 |
| Boulder Elementary School | Boulder Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 172 |
| Whitehall High School | Whitehall H S | 9–12 | High | 144 |
| Whitehall 6-8 | Whitehall Elem | 6–8 | Middle | 126 |
| Clancy 7-8 | Clancy Elem | 7–8 | Middle | 81 |
| Boulder 7-8 | Boulder Elem | 7–8 | Middle | 46 |
| Cardwell School | Cardwell Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 40 |
| Basin School | Basin Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 11 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,909
State avg $9,334
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Jefferson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Jefferson County?
How much does Jefferson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Jefferson County, Montana — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Jefferson County, Montana?
Jefferson County educates 1,885 students within 12 public schools across eight districts. The system is comprised of six elementary, four middle, and two high schools serving several growing rural communities.
How do schools in Jefferson County perform academically?
Jefferson County boasts an impressive 89.2% graduation rate, exceeding both the Montana state average and the national benchmark of 87.0%. They achieve these results with a per-pupil expenditure of $7,909, showing high efficiency compared to national spending.
What are the major school districts in Jefferson County, Montana?
Montana City Elementary is the largest district with 475 students, followed closely by Clancy Elementary with 385. Traditional public schools make up the entire landscape here, with 0% charter school participation.
What is the school experience like in Jefferson County?
All 12 schools are classified as rural, yet they maintain a healthy average size of 157 students. Clancy School is the largest in the county with 304 students, while Whitehall Elementary also serves a significant cohort of 202.
How can I find homes near good schools in Jefferson County, Montana?
With graduation rates higher than the state average, Jefferson County is a top choice for families. Montana City and Clancy are particularly popular for home buyers who want excellent schools within a short drive of the state capital.
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.