Best Hill County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 3,002 students in Hill County, MT (there are 1 private school, serving 146 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Hill County, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Hill County, MT are North Star 7-8, Davey Elementary School and Gildford Colony School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Hill County, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Hill County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Montana public school average of 24% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Schools in Hill County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
North Star 7-8
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
105 3rd Ave Ne
Rudyard, MT 59540
(406) 355-4481
Gr: 7-8 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
Davey Elementary School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
56182 Clear Creek Rd, 7 Miles
Havre, MT 59501
(406) 395-4461
Gr: PK-8 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #33.
Gildford Colony School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
21719 Road 160 N
Gildford, MT 59525
(406) 376-3249
Gr: PK-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #44.
North Star High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
105 3rd Ave Ne
Rudyard, MT 59540
(406) 355-4481
Gr: 9-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Cottonwood School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
14627 Wildhorse Road
Havre, MT 59501
(406) 394-2273
Gr: PK-8 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #66.
North Star School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
205 3rd St East
Rudyard, MT 59540
(406) 355-4481
Gr: PK-8 | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Box Elder High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
205 Main Street
Box Elder, MT 59521
(406) 352-4195
Gr: 9-12 | 86 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Rank: #88.
Lincoln-mckinley School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
801 4th Street
Havre, MT 59501
(406) 265-9619
Gr: 2-3 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #99.
Havre High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
900 18th Street
Havre, MT 59501
(406) 265-6731
Gr: 9-12 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1010.
Havre Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1441 11th Street West
Havre, MT 59501
(406) 265-9613
Gr: 6-8 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1111.
Sunnyside School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
601 14th Street
Havre, MT 59501
(406) 265-9671
Gr: K-8 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1212.
Rocky Boy High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
81 Mission Taylor Road
Box Elder, MT 59521
(406) 395-4270
Gr: 9-12 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #1313.
Box Elder School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
205 Main Street
Box Elder, MT 59521
(406) 352-3222
Gr: PK-6 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #1414.
Box Elder 7-8
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
205 Main Street
Box Elder, MT 59521
(406) 352-4195
Gr: 7-8 | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #1515.
Rocky Boy School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
81 Mission Taylor Road
Box Elder, MT 59521
(406) 395-4474
Gr: PK-8 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #1616.
Rocky Boy 7-8
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
81 Mission Taylor Road
Box Elder, MT 59521
(406) 395-4270
Gr: 7-8 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Rank: n/an/a
Highland Park School
1207 Washington
Havre, MT 59501
(406) 265-5554
Gr: PK-1 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Hill County, MT?
The top-ranked public schools in Hill County, MT include North Star 7-8, Davey Elementary School and Gildford Colony School.
How many public schools are located in Hill County?
17 public schools are located in Hill County.
What percentage of students in Hill County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Hill County are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Hill County?
Hill County public schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Montana public schools average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Hill County are often viewed compared to one another?

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