Lake County Schools & Education
Lake County, Montana
School Score
60/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
89.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,551
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,334
School Score
60/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
State School Rank
#18
of 56 counties (1 = best)
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Education Overview
About Schools in Lake County, Montana
A Major Educational Hub in Western Montana
Lake County supports a large student population of 4,438 across 20 public schools. The diverse system is managed by 12 districts and includes 10 elementary, five middle, and five high schools.
High Achievement and Efficient Spending
Lake County achieves an excellent 89.6% graduation rate, which is significantly higher than both the state and national averages. This high performance is maintained with a per-pupil expenditure of $8,551, below the state average of $9,334.
Polson and Ronan Districts Excel
Polson Elementary is the largest district, serving 1,173 students, while Ronan Elementary follows closely with 1,105. All 20 schools are traditional public schools, with no charter options currently available in the county.
Dynamic Town and Rural Schools
The county features 16 rural schools and 4 town schools, with a relatively large average school size of 222 students. Polson Middle School and Polson High School are the largest campuses, each enrolling 524 students.
Investing in Lake County Real Estate
With some of the highest graduation rates in the region, Lake County is a premier destination for families. Consider the vibrant communities of Polson and Ronan when looking for a home near top-performing public schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
20
in Lake County
Total Enrollment
4,438
students
School Districts
12
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Type Breakdown
12 School Districts in Lake County
Polson Elem
Ronan Elem
Polson H S
St Ignatius K-12 Schools
Ronan H S
Arlee Elem
Charlo Elem
Arlee H S
Charlo H S
Upper West Shore Elem
20 Public Schools in Lake County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polson Middle School | Polson Elem | 5–8 | Middle | 524 |
| Polson High School | Polson H S | 9–12 | High | 524 |
| Ronan Middle School | Ronan Elem | 5–8 | Middle | 446 |
| K William Harvey Elem | Ronan Elem | PK–4 | Primary | 425 |
| Ronan High School | Ronan H S | 9–12 | High | 416 |
| Linderman School | Polson Elem | 2–4 | Primary | 376 |
| Cherry Valley School | Polson Elem | PK–1 | Primary | 273 |
| Pablo Elementary | Ronan Elem | PK–4 | Primary | 234 |
| St Ignatius Elementary School | St Ignatius K-12 Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 229 |
| Arlee Elementary | Arlee Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 206 |
| Arlee High School | Arlee H S | 9–12 | High | 145 |
| St Ignatius High School | St Ignatius K-12 Schools | 9–12 | High | 141 |
| St Ignatius Middle School | St Ignatius K-12 Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 110 |
| Charlo Elementary | Charlo Elem | PK–5 | Primary | 99 |
| Charlo High School | Charlo H S | 9–12 | High | 83 |
| Arlee 7-8 | Arlee Elem | 7–8 | Middle | 64 |
| Charlo 6-8 | Charlo Elem | 6–8 | Middle | 62 |
| Dayton School | Upper West Shore Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 43 |
| Valley View School | Valley View Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 36 |
| Salmon Prairie School | Swan Lake-Salmon Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 2 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,551
State avg $9,334
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Lake County, Montana — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Lake County, Montana?
Lake County supports a large student population of 4,438 across 20 public schools. The diverse system is managed by 12 districts and includes 10 elementary, five middle, and five high schools.
How do schools in Lake County perform academically?
Lake County achieves an excellent 89.6% graduation rate, which is significantly higher than both the state and national averages. This high performance is maintained with a per-pupil expenditure of $8,551, below the state average of $9,334.
What are the major school districts in Lake County, Montana?
Polson Elementary is the largest district, serving 1,173 students, while Ronan Elementary follows closely with 1,105. All 20 schools are traditional public schools, with no charter options currently available in the county.
What is the school experience like in Lake County?
The county features 16 rural schools and 4 town schools, with a relatively large average school size of 222 students. Polson Middle School and Polson High School are the largest campuses, each enrolling 524 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Lake County, Montana?
With some of the highest graduation rates in the region, Lake County is a premier destination for families. Consider the vibrant communities of Polson and Ronan when looking for a home near top-performing public 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.