Montana is one of those eclectic states that can have both the very best schools in the nation and abysmally bad schools. The very best schools aren't necessarily due to funding (none of the three biggest towns in Montana made the cut here), or location (two are in out of the way places). What makes them special is the commitment of the teachers, the parents, and the children to make the school the best it possibly can be.
Of the top ten school districts, only two could be considered "large" by Montana standards. In fact, most of the communities are tiny which makes the numbers that more interesting. Some districts are so small that the United States Census passed them over as a Census Designated Place. You know that your town is tiny if you're largely ignored by the census bureau.
The top ten best school districts in Montana are:
Source: wikimedia.org
The best school district in Montana, hands down, is Bozeman, Montana. Bozeman, Montana has a population of 37,280 as of the 2010 census. It has the highest ranked elementary school in the state, that being Cottonwood School, and three other elementary schools which are ranked in the top ten. Not far from Bozeman, Montana is Gallatin Gateway, Montana which has the number one high school in the state. Belgrade, Montana is nearby which is the third ranked school system in the state . Bozeman, Montana is also the home of Montana State University.
There are plenty of activities to keep the family busy when the kids aren't studying. Bozeman, Montana is known as the gateway to Yellowstone National Park and has the nearby Bridger Bowl Ski Resort. People in Bozeman, Montana hike, camp, fish, hunt, ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, horseback ride, and do anything outdoors.
Source: wikimedia.org
The second best school district in Montana is actually the school district of the city ranked number one in education: Elliston, Montana. Although called a city, the terminology of "city" is used very loosely here as Elliston had at the 2000 census a population of 225. Helena, Montana is a little less than an hour's drive away. Helena, with its population of 29,596, is the state capital of Montana and has retail and job opportunities for families. Elliston, Montana is mostly a ranching/farming community with mountains and national forests around it. Beyond that, it's hard to point to one thing that makes it stand out besides the teaching staff.
If you decide to move to Elliston, Montana, understand there isn't a lot of infrastructure here until you get to Helena. Still, there's plenty of outdoor activities for your kids such as fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, and horseback riding.
Source: wikimedia.org
Belgrade, Montana has Springhill, Elementary, which is one of the best schools in Montana. Belgrade, Montana has a population of 7389 as of 2010 and sits next to Bozeman. It is part of the Bozeman metro area. Belgrade, Montana benefits from everything that Bozeman benefits from: spectacular views, access to nearby ski areas, an airport, and the Montana State University. Close to Yellowstone National Park, people in Belgrade, Montana enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and anything outdoors.
Belgrade came into being as part of the railroad. It was established July 1881 and was set to be 9 7/10's miles west of Bozeman. It became an incorporated town in 1906.
If you've never heard of Luther, Montana, you're not alone. The town is so small that it doesn't even have statistics on population. What we can tell you is that it is in Carbon County and Luther Elementary school district is the fourth best school district in Montana. Luther, Montana sits on Montana Highway 78 and the closest towns are Red Lodge and Roscoe, Montana. Red Lodge has 2199 people according to the 2013 census and Roscoe, Montana, which has 15 people, is oddly considered big enough by the United States Census to count. Luther, remember, is considered too small by comparison.
You have some amazing views if you live in Luther, Montana. Predominantly farm and ranching, it's hard to go wrong choosing a home out here if you don't mind being away from major towns. People in Luther, Montana hike, camp, fish, hunt, ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, and horseback ride.
