Powell County Schools & Education
Powell County, Montana
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
85/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
95.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
95.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,421
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,334
School Score
85/100
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
#8
of 56 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Powell County
School Verdict
Powell County is a high-performing district with a school score of 85/100 and a graduation rate of 95.0%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.
Funding Context
Powell County spends $9,421 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 Powell County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 54% above the Montana average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 11.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Powell County, Montana
A High-Performing Education Infrastructure
Powell County supports 708 students across 8 public schools and 7 school districts. The infrastructure is heavily weighted toward early education with 6 elementary schools, supported by 1 middle and 1 high school. This system serves both the town of Deer Lodge and the surrounding rural valleys.
Exceptional Graduation and Academic Success
The county achieves a stellar 95.0% graduation rate, far outperforming the national average of 87.0%. Per-pupil spending of $9,421 is slightly above the state average, fueling a strong composite school score of 61.4. This data indicates a highly effective school system that yields significant student outcomes.
Deer Lodge Leads District Enrollment
Deer Lodge Elementary is the county’s largest district, educating 426 students across two campuses. Other smaller districts like Avon and Elliston serve their respective local communities with focused elementary programs. The county maintains a traditional public school system with no charter schools.
Town Centers and Rural Valleys
The county features 3 town-based schools and 5 rural campuses, with an average school size of 89. O D Speer School is the largest with 336 students, while Elliston School serves just 19 children. This mix provides families with the choice between a larger town school or a very small rural classroom.
Settling Near Powell’s Top Schools
With some of the best graduation rates in Montana, Powell County is a high-value choice for families. Homes in Deer Lodge offer the most convenient access to the county's largest and most diverse schools. Real estate buyers should prioritize school district boundaries to take advantage of these strong academic results.
School Overview
Total Schools
8
in Powell County
Total Enrollment
708
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 Powell County
Deer Lodge Elem
Powell County H S
Avon Elem
Elliston Elem
Garrison Elem
Helmville Elem
Ovando Elem
8 Public Schools in Powell County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O D Speer School | Deer Lodge Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 336 |
| Powell County High School | Powell County H S | 9–12 | High | 186 |
| E F Duvall 7-8 | Deer Lodge Elem | 7–8 | Middle | 90 |
| Avon School | Avon Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 28 |
| Elliston School | Elliston Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 19 |
| Garrison School | Garrison Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 17 |
| Helmville School | Helmville Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 16 |
| Ovando School | Ovando Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 16 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,421
State avg $9,334
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Powell County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Powell County?
How much does Powell County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Powell County, Montana — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Powell County, Montana?
Powell County supports 708 students across 8 public schools and 7 school districts. The infrastructure is heavily weighted toward early education with 6 elementary schools, supported by 1 middle and 1 high school. This system serves both the town of Deer Lodge and the surrounding rural valleys.
How do schools in Powell County perform academically?
The county achieves a stellar 95.0% graduation rate, far outperforming the national average of 87.0%. Per-pupil spending of $9,421 is slightly above the state average, fueling a strong composite school score of 61.4. This data indicates a highly effective school system that yields significant student outcomes.
What are the major school districts in Powell County, Montana?
Deer Lodge Elementary is the county’s largest district, educating 426 students across two campuses. Other smaller districts like Avon and Elliston serve their respective local communities with focused elementary programs. The county maintains a traditional public school system with no charter schools.
What is the school experience like in Powell County?
The county features 3 town-based schools and 5 rural campuses, with an average school size of 89. O D Speer School is the largest with 336 students, while Elliston School serves just 19 children. This mix provides families with the choice between a larger town school or a very small rural classroom.
How can I find homes near good schools in Powell County, Montana?
With some of the best graduation rates in Montana, Powell County is a high-value choice for families. Homes in Deer Lodge offer the most convenient access to the county's largest and most diverse schools. Real estate buyers should prioritize school district boundaries to take advantage of these strong academic results.
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.