Top 10 Public High Schools in Montana

Direct Answer

The Best Overall public high school in Montana is Bozeman High School in Bozeman, a large, high-achieving school whose students post some of the strongest ACT scores in the state and feed in large numbers into Montana State University and out-of-state flagships. The Best Value pick is Helena High School in Helena, which delivers broad Advanced Placement access, strong graduation outcomes, and a deep activities program at zero tuition — the best free public return for families anywhere in the state capital region.

This list is built for Montana families and students weighing where to live, enroll, or transfer, covering schools from Bozeman and Missoula to Billings, Helena, Kalispell, and Great Falls. Every pick uses real, publicly reported enrollment, test, and graduation data from the Montana Office of Public Instruction, U.S.

News, and Niche.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each high school against the priorities Montana families actually raise with counselors and district offices. We leaned on published figures from the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI), U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, College Board, and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The weighting:

• Academic performance (test scores, proficiency) — 25%
• College and post-grad outcomes — 20%
• Value and cost (free public access, resources per student) — 15%
• Teachers and resources — 15%
• Environment and safety — 15%
• Extracurriculars and fit — 10%

A school that posts strong scores but graduates few students, or fields great teams but struggles academically, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Bozeman High School 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families who want the strongest all-around academics and college pipeline in the state

Bozeman High School, in Gallatin County, is the flagship of one of Montana's fastest-growing districts and enrolls roughly 2,000 students across grades 9–12. It posts an average ACT composite near 22, well above the state mean, and a graduation rate around 92%.

The school offers a deep slate of Advanced Placement courses spanning calculus, biology, U.S. History, and the sciences, plus dual-enrollment ties to Montana State University next door. A student-teacher ratio near 17:1, an established DECA and speech and debate presence, and award-winning music and athletics round out a genuinely complete program.

Pros:

• ACT composite near 22, among the highest in Montana
• Strong AP catalog with dual-enrollment access to Montana State University
• Graduation rate around 92%
• Deep, well-funded extracurricular and athletics programs

Cons:

• Rapid district growth has strained building capacity
• Large enrollment can feel impersonal for some students

Verdict: Bozeman High wins on balance — top academics, a real college pipeline, and resources no other Montana public matches.

2. Missoula Hellgate High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students who want strong academics in a vibrant college town

Hellgate High School, in Missoula County, is the oldest of Missoula's high schools and enrolls about 1,500 students. It pairs an average ACT near 21 with a graduation rate around 90% and a long tradition of academic competition success. Hellgate offers a robust AP and International Baccalaureate-style enrichment mix, an established orchestra and arts program, and easy dual-enrollment access to the University of Montana just across the river.

Its central campus and engaged faculty make it a perennial favorite among Missoula families.

Pros:

• Average ACT near 21 with broad AP offerings
• Dual-enrollment ties to the University of Montana
• Strong arts, orchestra, and academic-competition traditions
• Walkable central campus in a college town

Cons:

• Aging historic building needs ongoing facility investment
• Parking and space are tight on the downtown campus

Verdict: A strong academic pick — ideal for students who thrive in a college-town setting with real university access.

3. Helena High School 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting the best free public return in the capital region

Helena High School, in Lewis and Clark County, serves roughly 1,400 students in Montana's capital and is the best value play on this list. It delivers an average ACT around 21, a graduation rate near 91%, and one of the broadest Advanced Placement catalogs outside Bozeman and Missoula — all at zero tuition.

Proximity to state government offices and Carroll College opens internship and mentorship doors, while a student-teacher ratio near 16:1 keeps classes manageable. Strong music, JROTC, and athletics programs add depth for the cost of a public enrollment.

Pros:

• Broad AP catalog and roughly 21 average ACT at no tuition
• Graduation rate near 91%
• Internship access through state government and Carroll College
• Manageable 16:1 student-teacher ratio

Cons:

• Outcomes trail Bozeman at the very top end
• Capital-city budget pressures affect elective breadth

Verdict: The value champion — Helena High delivers near-top academics and resources for the price of a free public seat.

4. Billings West High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families in Montana's largest city wanting a big, full-service program

Billings West High School, in Yellowstone County, is a large school of roughly 1,900 students and a consistent academic and athletic leader in Montana's biggest city. It posts an average ACT near 21 and a graduation rate around 90%, supported by a wide AP course menu and dual-enrollment options through Montana State University Billings and Rocky Mountain College.

The school's size funds an exceptionally broad set of clubs, music ensembles, and championship-caliber athletics. A student-teacher ratio near 18:1 reflects the busy, full-service campus.

Pros:

• Average ACT near 21 with a wide AP menu
• Dual-enrollment options through two local colleges
• Exceptional breadth of clubs, music, and athletics
• Graduation rate around 90%

Cons:

• Large enrollment can dilute individual attention
• Outcomes vary across a diverse student body

Verdict: The big-city all-rounder — the deepest activities and course breadth in Billings.

5. Big Sky High School (Missoula)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Missoula families wanting career-and-technical strength alongside academics

Big Sky High School, in Missoula County, enrolls about 1,200 students and is known for pairing solid academics with one of the state's stronger career and technical education (CTE) programs. It posts an average ACT near 20 and a graduation rate around 89%, with health-sciences, business, and trades pathways that lead directly into Missoula College and apprenticeships.

The school offers a respectable AP slate, a student-teacher ratio near 16:1, and competitive athletics. For students who want a clear vocational on-ramp without leaving a strong academic core, Big Sky stands out.

Pros:

• Standout CTE pathways into Missoula College and trades
• Average ACT near 20 with a solid AP slate
• Manageable 16:1 student-teacher ratio
• Strong health-sciences and business programs

Cons:

• Top-end academic scores trail Hellgate
• Smaller AP catalog than the largest schools

Verdict: The career-and-college bridge — best for students who want vocational depth without sacrificing academics.

6. Missoula Sentinel High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Missoula families wanting a balanced, spirited mid-size school

Sentinel High School, in Missoula County, serves about 1,300 students and rounds out Missoula's strong trio of public high schools. It posts an average ACT near 21 and a graduation rate around 90%, with a dependable AP catalog, a well-regarded music and theater program, and consistent athletic success.

Dual-enrollment ties to the University of Montana mirror those of its sister schools. A student-teacher ratio near 17:1 and an engaged community give Sentinel a balanced, spirited feel that families repeatedly praise.

Pros:

• Average ACT near 21 with dependable AP offerings
• Strong music, theater, and athletics traditions
• University of Montana dual-enrollment access
• Graduation rate around 90%

Cons:

• Sits a notch below Hellgate on top-end outcomes
• Facilities need periodic modernization

Verdict: A well-rounded mid-size pick — strong academics, spirit, and arts in the heart of Missoula.

7. Bozeman Gallatin High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Gallatin Valley families wanting a modern, fast-rising campus

Gallatin High School, in Gallatin County, opened in 2020 to relieve Bozeman High and already enrolls roughly 1,500 students on a modern campus. It posts an average ACT near 21 and a graduation rate around 90%, with a growing AP catalog and the same dual-enrollment access to Montana State University that anchors the district.

New facilities, strong STEM labs, and rapidly maturing athletics and arts programs make Gallatin one of the most promising newer schools in the state. A student-teacher ratio near 17:1 keeps the young campus balanced.

Pros:

• Modern 2020 campus with strong STEM facilities
• Average ACT near 21 and a growing AP catalog
• Montana State University dual-enrollment access
• Rapidly maturing athletics and arts programs

Cons:

• Newer school still building long-term traditions
• Track record of outcomes remains short

Verdict: The rising star — a modern Gallatin Valley campus closing the gap on Bozeman High fast.

8. Kalispell Flathead High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Flathead Valley families wanting a large, established program

Flathead High School, in Flathead County, serves roughly 1,500 students in Kalispell and anchors education in the scenic Flathead Valley near Glacier National Park. It posts an average ACT near 20 and a graduation rate around 88%, with a solid AP offering and dual-enrollment ties to Flathead Valley Community College.

The school fields strong athletics, an established agriculture and FFA program, and broad arts options. A student-teacher ratio near 18:1 reflects a busy, full-service campus that serves a wide rural and suburban draw.

Pros:

• Solid AP offering with Flathead Valley Community College access
• Strong FFA, agriculture, and athletics programs
• Graduation rate around 88%
• Serves a broad rural and suburban community

Cons:

• Average ACT near 20 trails the top tier
• Wide draw area creates variable preparation

Verdict: The Flathead Valley anchor — a large, established program with strong activities and college ties.

9. Great Falls C.M. Russell High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Great Falls families wanting a comprehensive, community-rooted school

C.M. Russell High School, in Cascade County, enrolls about 1,500 students in Great Falls and is named for the famed Western artist. It posts an average ACT near 20 and a graduation rate around 87%, with a dependable AP catalog, dual-enrollment access through Great Falls College MSU, and strong JROTC, art, and athletics traditions reflecting the city's military and creative heritage.

A student-teacher ratio near 17:1 and a deeply community-rooted culture give "CMR" a loyal following among local families.

Pros:

• Dependable AP catalog and Great Falls College MSU dual enrollment
• Strong JROTC, art, and athletics traditions
• Graduation rate around 87%
• Deeply community-rooted school culture

Cons:

• Average ACT near 20 sits below the leaders
• Elective breadth limited by district budgets

Verdict: The community pick — a comprehensive Great Falls school with deep local roots and solid college pathways.

10. Belgrade High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Gallatin Valley families wanting a growing small-city school

Belgrade High School, in Gallatin County, serves roughly 1,100 students in one of Montana's fastest-growing communities just outside Bozeman. It posts an average ACT near 20 and a graduation rate around 89%, with a steadily expanding AP catalog and dual-enrollment access to Montana State University.

The school benefits from recent facility investment, a tight-knit small-city feel, and strong agriculture, trades, and athletics programs. A student-teacher ratio near 17:1 keeps classes manageable as enrollment climbs.

Pros:

• Expanding AP catalog with Montana State University access
• Recent facility investment and modern resources
• Strong agriculture, trades, and athletics programs
• Tight-knit small-city community feel

Cons:

• Average ACT near 20 trails the regional leaders
• Rapid growth strains classroom capacity

Verdict: The growing small-city pick — a community-focused Gallatin Valley school with real momentum.

Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a Public High School

• Academic outcomes that match your student — Compare published ACT composites, proficiency rates, and graduation rates from OPI rather than reputation alone. Bozeman and the Missoula schools lead on test data.
• AP and dual-enrollment access — Confirm the specific AP courses and college partnerships offered; Bozeman, Hellgate, and Helena have the broadest catalogs and the strongest university ties.
• Student-teacher ratio and resources — Smaller ratios near 16:1 at Helena and Big Sky often mean more individual attention than the busiest 18:1 campuses.
• Activities and fit — Whether your student wants orchestra, FFA, DECA, JROTC, or championship athletics, match the program depth to the student, not the trophy case.
• Location and community — College-town energy in Missoula, capital-city internships in Helena, and fast-growing Gallatin Valley campuses each suit different families.

What matters less than marketing implies: a single year's championship banner or a flashy new building. Sustained graduation rates, AP access, and teacher quality shape outcomes far more than headline wins.

FAQ

Which is the best public high school in Montana? Bozeman High School earns our top spot for its ACT composite near 22, broad AP catalog, dual-enrollment ties to Montana State University, and a graduation rate around 92% — the strongest all-around package in the state.

What is the best value public high school in Montana? Helena High School is our Best Value, delivering a broad AP catalog, an average ACT around 21, and capital-region internship access at zero tuition.

Which Montana high schools have the best college pipelines? Bozeman High, Gallatin, and Belgrade feed strongly into Montana State University, while the Missoula schools and Helena connect students to the University of Montana and Carroll College.

How do Montana ACT scores compare across these schools? Top schools like Bozeman High post composites near 22, while most strong picks land near 20–21, generally above the statewide average.

Which schools are best for career and technical education? Big Sky High School in Missoula leads on CTE pathways into Missoula College and the trades, with Flathead and Belgrade strong in agriculture and FFA.

Are these schools free to attend? Yes. Every school on this list is a public high school funded through Montana's school system, so there is no tuition for resident families.

Bottom Line

For Montana families, Bozeman High School is our Best Overall public high school — it wins on its ACT composite near 22, deep AP catalog, Montana State University pipeline, and a graduation rate around 92%. Helena High School is our Best Value, delivering near-top academics and resources for the price of a free public seat.

If your priorities lean toward a college-town setting, big-city breadth, or career-and-technical strength, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Hellgate, Billings West, or Big Sky instead. Choose on graduation rates, AP access, and fit rather than headline wins, and your student will thrive.

Sources

• U.S. News — Best High Schools in Montana
• Niche — Best Public High Schools in Montana
• GreatSchools — Montana school ratings
• Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI)
• College Board — AP program data
• NCES — National Center for Education Statistics
• Bozeman School District 7 — Bozeman and Gallatin High
• Missoula County Public Schools
• Helena Public Schools
• Billings Public Schools

*Public high schools in Montana review — best public high schools Montana, rankings, ratings, review 2027, and a review of the top picks for families.*