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Private Schools in
Montana

  • White
  • Black
  • Hisp.
  • Asian Am.
  • Am. Ind. / Ala. Nat.
  • Haw. / Pac. Isl.
  • Multi.
  • Not spec.
Private Schools
Public Schools

Source: Private School Survey, Common Core of Data (2021–22)

Religious Orientation

Religious orientation reflects a school’s religious orientation or affiliation.

Religious Orientation Count
Nonsectarian 38
Roman Catholic 20
Christian 17
Seventh-Day Adventist 11
Amish 6

School Type

School type reflects a private school’s classification, which can indicate specific approaches or academic focus.

Private Schools in Montana

There are 111 private schools in Montana that have responded to at least one of the past three Private School Surveys.

School Grades Religion Enrollment Mostly … Racial Difference* Teachers Founded Type
St. Francis Catholic School KG–8th Roman Catholic 629 White 11% 43 1919 Regular elementary or secondary
Stillwater Christian School PK–12th Christian 455 White 7% 35 1980 Regular elementary or secondary
Valley Christian School PK–12th Other 335 White 5% 27 1978 Regular elementary or secondary
Billings Central Catholic High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 298 White 10% 26 1947 Regular elementary or secondary
Manhattan Christian School PK–12th Calvinist 288 White 2% 20 1907 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Joseph School PK–8th Roman Catholic 284 White 5% 25 1870 Regular elementary or secondary
Billings Christian School PK–12th Christian 267 White 7% 32 1981 Regular elementary or secondary
Heritage Christian School PK–12th Christian 242 White 9% 16 1982 Regular elementary or secondary
Butte Central Elementary School PK–8th Roman Catholic 233 White 7% 16 Regular elementary or secondary
Helena Christian School PK–12th Christian 231 White 8% 15 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Andrew School PK–12th Roman Catholic 218 White 16% 20 Regular elementary or secondary
Holy Spirit Catholic School PK–8th Roman Catholic 200 White 26% 15 1985 Regular elementary or secondary
Foothills Community Christian High School PK–12th Christian 197 White 18% 16 Regular elementary or secondary
Emerge Private School 1st–12th Christian 195 White 13% 6 Early childhood/day care center
Nelson Academy of Agricultural Sciences Online 7th–12th Nonsectarian 194 White 14% 2 Vocational/technical
Trinity Lutheran School PK–8th Lutheran 189 White 18% 10 1955 Regular elementary or secondary
Loyola Sacred Heart High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 181 White 2% 16 1873 Regular elementary or secondary
Petra Academy PK–12th Christian 172 White 12% 22 Regular elementary or secondary
Trinity Lutheran School PK–8th Lutheran 159 White 13% 12 1958 Regular elementary or secondary
Missoula International School PK–8th Nonsectarian 144 White -8% 16 Special program emphasis
Sacred Heart Elementary School PK–8th Roman Catholic 142 White 6% 11 1881 Regular elementary or secondary
Brightways Global Academy KG–12th Nonsectarian 133 White -22% 2 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Matthew’s School PK–8th Roman Catholic 128 White 2% 14 1917 Regular elementary or secondary
Whitefish Christian Academy PK–8th Christian 127 White 4% 11 1980 Regular elementary or secondary
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School PK–8th Roman Catholic 123 White 15% 11 1946 Regular elementary or secondary

* About racial difference

School Districts in Montana (400)

District Grades Private Schools Private School Students Racial Difference *
Billings Elementary School District PK–8th 9 1,090 9%
Missoula Elementary School District PK–8th 8 1,058 0%
Helena Elementary School District PK–8th 7 511 8%
Bozeman Elementary School District PK–8th 6 593 10%
Kalispell Elementary School District PK–8th 6 825 8%
Great Falls Elementary School District PK–8th 5 367 18%
St. Ignatius K-12 Schools PK–12th 3 99 51%
Livingston Elementary School District PK–8th 3 91 6%
Butte Elementary School District PK–8th 3 267 3%
Libby K-12 Schools PK–12th 2 96 11%
Hardin Elementary School District PK–8th 2 136 10%
Sun River Valley Elementary School District PK–8th 2 89 10%
Billings High School District 9th–12th 2 368 9%
Miles City Elementary School District PK–8th 2 174 6%
Thompson Falls High School District 9th–12th 2 8 4%
Missoula High School District 9th–12th 2 181 2%
Moore Elementary School District PK–8th 2 62 2%
Browning Elementary School District PK–8th 2 98 -7%
Bozeman High School District 9th–12th 2 81 -7%
Thompson Falls Elementary School District PK–8th 2 13 -11%
Hamilton K-12 Schools PK–12th 2 117 -11%
Flathead High School District 9th–12th 2 10 -11%
Ashland Elementary School District PK–8th 1 21 93%
Belgrade Elementary School District PK–8th 1 58 90%
Ronan Elementary School District PK–8th 1 25 70%

* About racial difference

About This Data

Where is this data from?

Most of the data we use comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Private School Universe Survey, which has aimed to gather information about U.S. private schools every other year since 1989. Because the regulation of private schools is handled differently by state, there is no comprehensive list of every private school in the country. The PSS attempts to approximate such a list using various sources, including state education departments, private school associations and religious organizations, and, in some areas, online yellow pages and local government offices.

What schools are included?

Why are private schools listed under public school districts?

What changes has ProPublica made?

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