Pondera County Schools & Education
Pondera County, Montana
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
44/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
79.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
79.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,097
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,334
School Score
44/100
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
#39
of 56 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Pondera County
School Verdict
Pondera County has average school quality (score: 44/100) with a graduation rate of 79.4%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Pondera County spends $9,097 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 Pondera County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 19% below the Montana average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 4.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Pondera County, Montana
Extensive Infrastructure for Pondera Students
Pondera County supports 968 students through 15 public schools and 7 school districts. The landscape is dominated by 8 elementary schools, along with 4 middle and 3 high schools. This network serves a mix of agricultural towns and more remote rural areas.
Academic Challenges and Steady Funding
The county's graduation rate of 79.4% sits below both state and national averages. Spending per-pupil is $9,097, which is very close to the Montana state average of $9,334. The resulting composite school score of 52.5 is slightly below the state average but remains above the national median.
Conrad and Heart Butte Districts
Conrad Elementary is the largest district with 342 students, followed closely by Heart Butte K-12 Schools with 208 students. These districts manage several small campuses to serve their diverse populations. Charter schools are not part of the county's educational landscape.
A Blend of Town and Country Schools
Pondera County features a mix of 11 rural schools and 4 town-based campuses, providing different living environments for families. Meadowlark School is the largest campus with 154 students, while the average school size remains small at 65. This scale ensures that even in town-based schools, the atmosphere remains personal.
Relocating to Pondera’s School Communities
Families moving to Pondera County often look toward Conrad for the most robust school services. Educational quality varies by district, so researching specific local scores is essential for home buyers. The school system remains the focal point for community activities and residential stability.
School Overview
Total Schools
15
in Pondera County
Total Enrollment
968
students
School Districts
7
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
7 School Districts in Pondera County
Conrad Elem
Heart Butte K-12 Schools
Conrad H S
Valier Elem
Valier H S
Miami Elem
Dupuyer Elem
15 Public Schools in Pondera County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meadowlark School | Conrad Elem | PK–3 | Primary | 154 |
| Conrad High School | Conrad H S | 9–12 | High | 153 |
| Utterback 4-6 | Conrad Elem | 4–6 | Middle | 119 |
| Heart Butte Elementary | Heart Butte K-12 Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 95 |
| Valier School | Valier Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 78 |
| Heart Butte High School | Heart Butte K-12 Schools | 9–12 | High | 74 |
| Utterback 7-8 | Conrad Elem | 7–8 | Middle | 69 |
| Valier High School | Valier H S | 9–12 | High | 46 |
| Heart Butte 6-8 | Heart Butte K-12 Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 39 |
| Miami School | Miami Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 34 |
| Pondera Colony School | Dutton/Brady K-12 Schools | PK–8 | Primary | 27 |
| Valier 7-8 | Valier Elem | 7–8 | Middle | 24 |
| Dupuyer School | Dupuyer Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 21 |
| Kingsbury Colony Attn Ctr | Valier Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 20 |
| Midway Colony | Dutton/Brady K-12 Schools | PK–8 | Primary | 15 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,097
State avg $9,334
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Pondera County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Pondera County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Pondera County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Pondera County?
How much does Pondera County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Pondera County, Montana — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Pondera County, Montana?
Pondera County supports 968 students through 15 public schools and 7 school districts. The landscape is dominated by 8 elementary schools, along with 4 middle and 3 high schools. This network serves a mix of agricultural towns and more remote rural areas.
How do schools in Pondera County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate of 79.4% sits below both state and national averages. Spending per-pupil is $9,097, which is very close to the Montana state average of $9,334. The resulting composite school score of 52.5 is slightly below the state average but remains above the national median.
What are the major school districts in Pondera County, Montana?
Conrad Elementary is the largest district with 342 students, followed closely by Heart Butte K-12 Schools with 208 students. These districts manage several small campuses to serve their diverse populations. Charter schools are not part of the county's educational landscape.
What is the school experience like in Pondera County?
Pondera County features a mix of 11 rural schools and 4 town-based campuses, providing different living environments for families. Meadowlark School is the largest campus with 154 students, while the average school size remains small at 65. This scale ensures that even in town-based schools, the atmosphere remains personal.
How can I find homes near good schools in Pondera County, Montana?
Families moving to Pondera County often look toward Conrad for the most robust school services. Educational quality varies by district, so researching specific local scores is essential for home buyers. The school system remains the focal point for community activities and residential stability.
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.