Stillwater County Schools & Education
Stillwater County, Montana
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
64/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
90.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,474
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,334
School Score
64/100
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
#14
of 56 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Stillwater County
School Verdict
Stillwater County performs at an average level with a school score of 64/100 and a solid graduation rate of 90.9%.
Funding Context
Stillwater County spends $8,474 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 Stillwater County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 16% above the Montana average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 7.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 9% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Stillwater County, Montana
Strong Local Control Across Twelve Districts
Stillwater County serves 1,356 students across 17 public schools, including seven elementary and five high schools. With 12 different school districts, the county emphasizes localized community governance. This ensures that even the smallest towns have a direct say in their children's education.
Leading the State in Graduation Rates
The county's 90.9% graduation rate is one of the highest in the region, far exceeding the state average of 83.7%. This academic success is paired with a school score of 57.2, which beats both the state and national averages. Spending remains efficient at $8,474 per pupil, delivering high-value results for taxpayers.
Columbus Schools at the County's Core
Columbus Elementary is the largest district, serving 469 students across two schools. Park City Elementary is the next largest hub, educating 224 students. All 17 schools are traditional public institutions, as no charter schools currently operate within Stillwater County's borders.
Small Schools in a Purely Rural Setting
Every school in Stillwater County is classified as rural, providing a peaceful and focused learning environment. The average school size is just 80 students, with Columbus Elementary being the largest at 304 students. This small-scale approach allows for high levels of student participation in sports and clubs.
Target Homes with Premier Academic Stats
For families where academic performance is the top priority, Stillwater County's 90.9% graduation rate is a compelling reason to move here. Homes in the Columbus or Park City areas offer the best access to the county's largest and highest-scoring schools. Investing here means securing a spot in one of Montana's top-performing educational landscapes.
School Overview
Total Schools
17
in Stillwater County
Total Enrollment
1,356
students
School Districts
12
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
12 School Districts in Stillwater County
Columbus Elem
Columbus H S
Park City Elem
Absarokee Elem
Park City H S
Absarokee H S
Rapelje Elem
Reed Point Elem
Reed Point H S
Rapelje H S
17 Public Schools in Stillwater County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Elem School | Columbus Elem | PK–5 | Primary | 304 |
| Columbus High School | Columbus H S | 9–12 | High | 244 |
| Park City School | Park City Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 174 |
| Columbus Middle School | Columbus Elem | 6–8 | Middle | 165 |
| Park City High School | Park City H S | 9–12 | High | 102 |
| Absarokee High School | Absarokee H S | 9–12 | High | 71 |
| Absarokee School | Absarokee Elem | PK–5 | Primary | 64 |
| Park City 7-8 | Park City Elem | 7–8 | Middle | 50 |
| Absarokee 6-8 | Absarokee Elem | 6–8 | Middle | 43 |
| Rapelje School | Rapelje Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 36 |
| Reed Point Elementary | Reed Point Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 32 |
| Reed Point High School | Reed Point H S | 9–12 | High | 19 |
| Rapelje High School | Rapelje H S | 9–12 | High | 18 |
| Fishtail School | Fishtail Elem | PK–8 | Primary | 13 |
| Nye School | Nye Elem | PK–6 | Primary | 8 |
| Rapelje 7-8 | Rapelje Elem | 7–8 | Middle | 8 |
| Reed Point 7-8 | Reed Point Elem | 7–8 | Middle | 5 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,474
State avg $9,334
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Stillwater County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Stillwater County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Stillwater County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Stillwater County?
How much does Stillwater County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Stillwater County, Montana — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Stillwater County, Montana?
Stillwater County serves 1,356 students across 17 public schools, including seven elementary and five high schools. With 12 different school districts, the county emphasizes localized community governance. This ensures that even the smallest towns have a direct say in their children's education.
How do schools in Stillwater County perform academically?
The county's 90.9% graduation rate is one of the highest in the region, far exceeding the state average of 83.7%. This academic success is paired with a school score of 57.2, which beats both the state and national averages. Spending remains efficient at $8,474 per pupil, delivering high-value results for taxpayers.
What are the major school districts in Stillwater County, Montana?
Columbus Elementary is the largest district, serving 469 students across two schools. Park City Elementary is the next largest hub, educating 224 students. All 17 schools are traditional public institutions, as no charter schools currently operate within Stillwater County's borders.
What is the school experience like in Stillwater County?
Every school in Stillwater County is classified as rural, providing a peaceful and focused learning environment. The average school size is just 80 students, with Columbus Elementary being the largest at 304 students. This small-scale approach allows for high levels of student participation in sports and clubs.
How can I find homes near good schools in Stillwater County, Montana?
For families where academic performance is the top priority, Stillwater County's 90.9% graduation rate is a compelling reason to move here. Homes in the Columbus or Park City areas offer the best access to the county's largest and highest-scoring schools. Investing here means securing a spot in one of Montana's top-performing educational landscapes.
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.