For the 2025-26 school year, there are 12 public preschools serving 4,296 students in Missoula, MT. The top-ranked public preschools in Missoula, MT are Rattlesnake Elementary School, Jeannette Rankin Elementary School and Chief Charlo School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Missoula, MT public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the Montana public pre school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 47% statewide average). Pre schools in Missoula have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Montana public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public preschool average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Preschools in Missoula, MT (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rattlesnake Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1220 Pineview Drive
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Jeannette Rankin Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5150 Bigfork Rd.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4010
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4010
Gr: PK-5 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Chief Charlo School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5600 Longview Dr
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4005
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4005
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Paxson School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
101 Evans
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4055
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4055
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
Lewis & Clark School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2901 Park
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4035
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4035
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Hawthorne School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
550 Hiberta St.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4025
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4025
Gr: PK-5 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Russell School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3216 Russell Street
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4080
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4080
Gr: PK-5 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #88.
Desmet School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6355 Padre Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 549-4994
Gr: PK-5 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #99.
Target Range School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4095 South Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 549-9239
Gr: PK-6 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1010.
Lowell School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1215 Phillips St
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4040
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4040
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1111.
Franklin School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1910 S. 11th St
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4020
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4020
Gr: PK-5 | 282 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: n/an/a
2365 Flynne Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-2452
Gr: PK-1 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Missoula, Montana Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
215 South 6th West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4050
Gr: K-3 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
215 South 6th West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4065
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4065
Gr: 4-5 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Missoula, MT?
The top-ranked public preschools in Missoula, MT include Rattlesnake Elementary School, Jeannette Rankin Elementary School and Chief Charlo School. Missoula has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Montana.
How many public preschools are located in Missoula?
12 public preschools are located in Missoula.
What is the racial composition of students in Missoula?
Missoula public preschools minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public preschools average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Which public preschools in Missoula are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Missoula include: Paxson School vs. Rattlesnake Elementary School, Russell School vs. Hawthorne School, Franklin School vs. Hawthorne School
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