Research / Best ZIP codes for schools
Best ZIP codes for schools in Montana
Ranked by the School Quality Index: district math and reading proficiency and graduation rates, weighted by how much of each district falls in the ZIP.
How we rank school quality
The School Quality Index summarizes district math and reading proficiency and four-year graduation outcomes. Results based on very small student samples are excluded, and missing measures do not count as zero.
A ZIP's score reflects the districts serving the area, with greater influence from districts covering more of the ZIP. It measures outcomes, not school ratings, spending, or individual schools.
Each state sets its own tests and proficiency cut scores, so the index compares ZIPs well within a state but not across states. That is why we rank ZIPs only within each state.
Only ZIPs with at least 1,000 residents are ranked, so a handful of households cannot top the list. 129 Montana ZIPs qualify.
Montana ZIP codes ranked by school quality
1ZIP 59405Great Falls
Montana
- School quality index
- 69.5
- ZIP population
- ~33k
- Avg. temperature
- 45°F
- Avg. commute
- 16 min
2ZIP 59715Bozeman
Montana
- School quality index
- 62.2
- ZIP population
- ~40k
- Avg. temperature
- 43°F
- Avg. commute
- 16 min
3ZIP 59442Fort Benton
Montana
- School quality index
- 60.6
- ZIP population
- ~2k
- Avg. temperature
- 46°F
- Avg. commute
- 14 min
4ZIP 59718Bozeman
Montana
- School quality index
- 60.6
- ZIP population
- ~45k
- Avg. temperature
- 45°F
- Avg. commute
- 17 min
5ZIP 59741Manhattan
Montana
- School quality index
- 60.4
- ZIP population
- ~6k
- Avg. temperature
- 44°F
- Avg. commute
- 20 min
6ZIP 59030Gardiner
Montana
- School quality index
- 59.8
- ZIP population
- ~1k
- Avg. temperature
- 40°F
- Avg. commute
- 16 min
| Rank | ZIP | City | County | School quality index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | 59725 | Dillon | Beaverhead County | 57.0 |
| #8 | 59759 | Whitehall | Jefferson County | 57.0 |
| #9 | 59421 | Cascade | Cascade County | 56.3 |
| #10 | 59436 | Fairfield | Teton County | 55.6 |
| #11 | 59215 | Circle | Mccone County | 55.4 |
| #12 | 59937 | Whitefish | Flathead County | 54.4 |
| #13 | 59923 | Libby | Lincoln County | 54.0 |
| #14 | 59522 | Chester | Liberty County | 51.8 |
| #15 | 59749 | Sheridan | Madison County | 51.6 |
| #16 | 59714 | Belgrade | Gallatin County | 51.3 |
| #17 | 59730 | Gallatin Gateway | Gallatin County | 50.4 |
| #18 | 59801 | Missoula | Missoula County | 50.0 |
| #19 | 59812 | Missoula | Missoula County | 50.0 |
| #20 | 59922 | Lakeside | Flathead County | 50.0 |
| #21 | 59716 | Big Sky | Gallatin County | 49.9 |
| #22 | 59644 | Townsend | Broadwater County | 49.7 |
| #23 | 59752 | Three Forks | Gallatin County | 49.7 |
| #24 | 59873 | Thompson Falls | Sanders County | 49.7 |
| #25 | 59932 | Somers | Flathead County | 49.7 |
Rank Montana by your own priorities
This list uses one attribute. In SkaldMaps you choose the criteria, weight them, and rank every Montana ZIP against what matters to you.
Create a free account →
More Montana research
Most affordable ZIP codes
Ranked by cost of living index
- Montana median ZIP
- 120.3
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 87.8 to 152.7
ZIP codes with the shortest commutes
Ranked by mean commute
- Montana median ZIP
- 20.4 min
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 13.6 min to 29.1 min
Best healthcare access
Ranked by healthcare access score
- Montana median ZIP
- 86.4
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 66.8 to 96.0
Best broadband coverage
Ranked by households with broadband
- Montana median ZIP
- 87.3%
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 76.1% to 93.6%
Warmest ZIP codes
Ranked by avg. temperature
- Montana median ZIP
- 44.8°F
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 41.5°F to 47.4°F