For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public elementary schools serving 1,289 students in Jefferson County, MT. The top-ranked public elementary schools in Jefferson County, MT are Cardwell School, Clancy School and Montana City School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jefferson County, MT public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Montana public elementary school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 47% statewide average). Elementary schools in Jefferson County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Montana public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public elementary school average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Jefferson County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cardwell School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
80 Highway 359
Cardwell, MT 59721
(406) 287-3321
Cardwell, MT 59721
(406) 287-3321
Gr: PK-8 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Clancy School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
18 Clancy Creek Rd
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 933-5531
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 933-5531
Gr: PK-6 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Montana City School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
11 Mcclellan Creek Road
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 442-6779
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 442-6779
Gr: PK-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
Basin School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
30 North Quartz
Basin, MT 59631
(406) 225-3211
Basin, MT 59631
(406) 225-3211
Gr: PK-6 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #55.
Montana City Middle School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
11 Mcclellan Creek Road
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 442-6779
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 442-6779
Gr: 6-8 | 158 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Boulder Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
205 So Washington
Boulder, MT 59632
(406) 225-3316
Boulder, MT 59632
(406) 225-3316
Gr: PK-6 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #77.
Whitehall Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
401 N Division
Whitehall, MT 59759
(406) 287-3882
Whitehall, MT 59759
(406) 287-3882
Gr: PK-5 | 192 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Whitehall 6-8
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
401 N Division
Whitehall, MT 59759
(406) 287-3882
Whitehall, MT 59759
(406) 287-3882
Gr: 6-8 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Jefferson County, MT?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Jefferson County, MT include Cardwell School, Clancy School and Montana City School. Jefferson County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Montana.
How many public elementary schools are located in Jefferson County?
8 public elementary schools are located in Jefferson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public elementary schools average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Which public elementary schools in Jefferson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Jefferson County include: Whitehall Elementary School vs. Cardwell School, Cardwell School vs. Whitehall Elementary School, Clancy School vs. Boulder Elementary School
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