Silver Bow County Schools & Education
Silver Bow County, Montana
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
34/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
86.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,024
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,334
School Score
34/100
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
#52
of 56 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Silver Bow County
School Verdict
Silver Bow County faces educational challenges with a school score of 34/100 and a graduation rate of 86.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,024 per pupil, Silver Bow County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Silver Bow County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 39% below the Montana average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 25% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Silver Bow County, Montana
Butte's Centrally Managed School System
Silver Bow County educates 4,460 students across 12 public schools. The system is heavily focused on early education, with nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and one large high school. Five districts manage these facilities, with the Butte schools serving the vast majority of the population.
Efficient Achievement in a Town Setting
The county maintains a graduation rate of 86.0%, which is higher than the Montana state average of 83.7%. This success comes despite a leaner per-pupil expenditure of $7,024, compared to the state average of $9,334. The composite school score of 51.5 is just shy of the state average but remains above the national median.
The Power of Butte Elementary and High School
Butte Elementary is the largest district, serving 2,966 students across seven schools. Butte High School acts as the county's central secondary institution with a massive enrollment of 1,317. There are no charter schools in the county, maintaining a strong focus on the traditional public school system.
A Mix of Town Hubs and Rural Outposts
The average school size of 372 students is the highest among the counties surveyed, driven by the large campuses in Butte. Seven schools are located in town settings, while five serve the surrounding rural areas. This mix offers families a choice between larger, resource-rich town schools and smaller rural elementary campuses.
Find a Home in Montana's Historic Mining City
Buying a home in Butte places your family near some of the state's largest and most storied school campuses. The high graduation rates and centralized high school provide a sense of community consistency for growing families. Explore the diverse neighborhoods of Silver Bow County to find the perfect proximity to your preferred school.
School Overview
Total Schools
12
in Silver Bow County
Total Enrollment
4,460
students
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
5 School Districts in Silver Bow County
Butte Elem
Butte H S
Ramsay Elem
Melrose Elem
Divide Elem
12 Public Schools in Silver Bow County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butte High School | Butte H S | 9–12 | High | 1,317 |
| East Middle School | Butte Elem | 7–8 | Middle | 660 |
| West Elementary School | Butte Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 473 |
| Whittier School | Butte Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 425 |
| Hillcrest School | Butte Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 423 |
| Emerson School | Butte Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 392 |
| Margaret Leary School | Butte Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 347 |
| Kennedy School | Butte Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 246 |
| Ramsay School | Ramsay Elem | PK–5 | Primary | 123 |
| Ramsay Middle School | Ramsay Elem | 6–8 | Middle | 43 |
| Melrose School | Melrose Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 6 |
| Divide School | Divide Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 5 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,024
State avg $9,334
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Silver Bow County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Silver Bow County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Silver Bow County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Silver Bow County?
How much does Silver Bow County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Silver Bow County, Montana — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Silver Bow County, Montana?
Silver Bow County educates 4,460 students across 12 public schools. The system is heavily focused on early education, with nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and one large high school. Five districts manage these facilities, with the Butte schools serving the vast majority of the population.
How do schools in Silver Bow County perform academically?
The county maintains a graduation rate of 86.0%, which is higher than the Montana state average of 83.7%. This success comes despite a leaner per-pupil expenditure of $7,024, compared to the state average of $9,334. The composite school score of 51.5 is just shy of the state average but remains above the national median.
What are the major school districts in Silver Bow County, Montana?
Butte Elementary is the largest district, serving 2,966 students across seven schools. Butte High School acts as the county's central secondary institution with a massive enrollment of 1,317. There are no charter schools in the county, maintaining a strong focus on the traditional public school system.
What is the school experience like in Silver Bow County?
The average school size of 372 students is the highest among the counties surveyed, driven by the large campuses in Butte. Seven schools are located in town settings, while five serve the surrounding rural areas. This mix offers families a choice between larger, resource-rich town schools and smaller rural elementary campuses.
How can I find homes near good schools in Silver Bow County, Montana?
Buying a home in Butte places your family near some of the state's largest and most storied school campuses. The high graduation rates and centralized high school provide a sense of community consistency for growing families. Explore the diverse neighborhoods of Silver Bow County to find the perfect proximity to your preferred school.
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.