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DeSmet School

Q: Is DeSmet School a good school?

DeSmet School ranks 101 st of 401 Montana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

101^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 401 Montana Elementary Schools

Better than 75% of Montana elementary schools

Summary

DeSmet School is a small elementary school serving grades PK-5 in Missoula, MT, with just 90 students enrolled. Despite its small size, the school stands out for its strong performance in math and science, consistently outpacing the state and DeSmet Elementary District averages in these subjects.

In the 2024-2025 school year, 60.53% of DeSmet students were proficient or better in math, compared to 54.93% for the district and 36.77% for the state. In science, 40% of DeSmet students were proficient, compared to 50% for the district and 38.16% for the state. However, the school lags behind nearby schools like Rattlesnake Elementary and Paxson School in English/Language Arts proficiency.

Another notable aspect of DeSmet School is its very low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 8.2 to 12.1 over the past few years, lower than the nearby schools. However, the school's ranking has fluctuated significantly, from as high as 54th out of 329 schools in 2021-2022 to as low as 217th out of 356 schools in 2020-2021, suggesting inconsistent performance. Additionally, DeSmet serves a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with a 100% free/reduced lunch rate, which may present unique challenges for the school.

Students ?

12.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

100%

Free/discounted lunch ?

6355 Padre Lane
Missoula, MT 59802

(406) 549-4994

District: DeSmet Elementary

Students who attend DeSmet School usually attend:

Middle:	DeSmet 6-8
High:	Big Sky High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

85.6%

Two or more races:

5.6%

Asian:

3.3%

See top rated Montana elementary schools

Compare DeSmet School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 13th percentile in 2009 → 75th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Montana average (52% vs 40% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 62 percentile points since 2009

✓Above the Montana median (75th percentile)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school52%

District avg51%

Montana avg40%

101^st of 401

Montana public elementary schools ?

Top 25%▲ up 22 pts since 2015

From top 47% (2015) to top 25% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Montana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

91^st of 387DeSmet Elementary among Montana districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Montana percentile	Rating
2025	69.7	101 of 401	74.8%	★★★★☆
2023	67.7	110 of 332	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	86.8	54 of 329	83.6%	★★★★☆
2021	48.3	217 of 356	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2015	56.5	135 of 287	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	51.6	150 of 246	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2012	29.5	199 of 244	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	35.3	191 of 247	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	31.7	196 of 241	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	26.5	166 of 190	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	22.9	175 of 194	9.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	19.6	214 of 230	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	36.1	182 of 234	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	70.8	60 of 218	72.5%	★★★★☆
2004	33.6	159 of 217	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Montana (2024-2025) ?

Mathematics61%+24 vs state

English Language Arts47%+4 vs state

Science40%~ state avg

5.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★2

4★0

3★0

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1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Great small school. For some reason, it does not have a good reputation with the community. For parent and teachers involved with the school it is second to none. The teachers have the ability to know each child and work one on one with them as needed. Close Quote

Schools Near DeSmet School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				MAST English Language Arts (2025)	MAST Mathematics (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAST English Language Arts All Grades	MAST Mathematics All Grades	Total
DeSmet School	Public	PK, KG-5	6355 Padre Lane	Missoula	59802	Missoula County	DeSmet Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 549-4994	90	7	12.1	100.0%	77 (85.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.1%)	3 (3.3%)	3 (3.3%)	1 (1.1%)	5 (5.6%)	69.7	101^st of 401 public elementary schools	74.8%					(n/a)	47.4	60.5
Hellgate Elementary Lower Grades	Public	2-3	2365 Flynn Lane	Missoula	59808	Missoula County	Hellgate Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 721-2160	305	20	14.9	35.1%	233 (76.4%)	3 (1.0%)	32 (10.5%)	6 (2.0%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (9.2%)	55.2	182^nd of 401 public elementary schools	54.6%					(n/a)	42.9	42.0	$11,890
Hellgate Elementary Primary Grades	Public	PK, KG-1	2365 Flynne Lane	Missoula	59808	Missoula County	Hellgate Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 721-2452	316	24	12.9	32.0%	234 (74.1%)	4 (1.3%)	25 (7.9%)	12 (3.8%)	7 (2.2%)	1 (0.3%)	33 (10.4%)								(n/a)			$14,023
Hawthorne School	Public	PK, KG-5	550 Hiberta St.	Missoula	59804	Missoula County	Missoula Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 542-4025	417	29	14.1	53.5%	329 (78.9%)	3 (0.7%)	14 (3.4%)	10 (2.4%)	28 (6.7%)	2 (0.5%)	31 (7.4%)	58.4	164^th of 401 public elementary schools	59.1%		74.4	63^rd of 212 public elementary schools	70.3%	101	45.5	42.4	$15,622
Lowell School	Public	PK, KG-5	1215 Phillips St	Missoula	59802	Missoula County	Missoula Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 542-4040	354	24	14.7	86.4%	275 (77.7%)	19 (5.4%)	10 (2.8%)	3 (0.8%)	27 (7.6%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.6%)	30.8	297^th of 401 public elementary schools	25.9%		45.2	131^st of 212 public elementary schools	38.2%	166	28.5	28.3	$15,776
Target Range School	Public	PK, KG-6	4095 South Avenue West	Missoula	59804	Missoula County	Target Range Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 549-9239	410	27	15.2	34.9%	346 (84.4%)	5 (1.2%)	18 (4.4%)	6 (1.5%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.1%)	61	149^th of 401 public elementary schools	62.8%		79.9	45^th of 212 public elementary schools	78.8%	104	54.3	37.3	$12,469
Franklin School	Public	PK, KG-5	1910 S. 11th St	Missoula	59801	Missoula County	Missoula Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 542-4020	274	23	11.9	80.3%	197 (71.9%)	12 (4.4%)	32 (11.7%)	5 (1.8%)	15 (5.5%)	1 (0.4%)	12 (4.4%)	34.6	277^th of 401 public elementary schools	30.9%		63	89^th of 212 public elementary schools	58.0%	188	32.6	25.2	$16,619
Rattlesnake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1220 Pineview Drive	Missoula	59802	Missoula County	Missoula Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 542-4050	393	25	15.8	31.8%	341 (86.8%)	3 (0.8%)	25 (6.4%)	5 (1.3%)	8 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.8%)	81.8	45^th of 401 public elementary schools	88.8%		95.7	6^th of 212 public elementary schools	97.2%	39	62.6	53.4	$12,614
Paxson School	Public	PK, KG-5	101 Evans	Missoula	59801	Missoula County	Missoula Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 542-4055	415	26	16.1	37.6%	316 (76.1%)	7 (1.7%)	33 (8.0%)	2 (0.5%)	37 (8.9%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (4.6%)	86.1	30^th of 401 public elementary schools	92.5%		92.8	15^th of 212 public elementary schools	92.9%	15	65.3	57.8	$13,237
Missoula TEACH Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	909 South Ave West	Missoula	59803	Missoula County	Missoula Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(406) 728-2400	84	5	16.8	69.0%	51 (60.7%)	8 (9.5%)	4 (4.8%)	13 (15.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (9.5%)	27.3	318^th of 401 public elementary schools	20.7%					(n/a)	22.7	33.3

Frequently Asked Questions about DeSmet School

Is DeSmet School a good school?

DeSmet School ranks 101^st of 401 Montana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of DeSmet School attend?

Students who attend DeSmet School usually go on to attend:

Middle : DeSmet 6-8
High : Big Sky High School

What is the racial makeup of DeSmet School?

Students at DeSmet School are 86% White, 6% Two or more races, 3% Asian, 3% American Indian, 1% Hispanic, 1% Pacific Islander.

What district is DeSmet School in?

DeSmet Elementary

How many students attend DeSmet School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 90 students attended DeSmet School.

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Schools in Missoula, MT

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.