2024 Best Preschools in Montana

A Parent's Guide to Montana Preschools

When it comes to preschools, Montana may not be the first state that springs to mind. But, if you dig a little deeper, there are actually plenty of great options in the state. In total, there are 429 preschools in the state, which is an impressive 66% more per capita than the national average. Furthermore, these preschools score a B on average, so the quality is right in line with the national norm. The preschools in Montana have an average enrollment of 166 students, which is about 55% smaller than the typical American preschool. This could suggest that parents wanting a less crowded classroom environment might have more luck finding it here. Speaking of crowd size, the student-to-teacher ratio in Montana is 12 to 1, which is 14% lower than the average class size in other states. Since the ratio is lower than average, this may result in higher academic achievement for students due to increased individual attention from teachers.

Stats about Montana Public Preschools

Montana's public preschools make up the majority of schools in the state and offer parents lots of options when it comes to selecting their child's school. With 364 total public schools, there's a wide range of choices when it comes to selecting the right school. Interestingly, the average public preschool in Montana is slightly smaller than the national average, with about 174 students on average–approximately 53% less than the typical American preschool. Despite this difference in size, Montana's public preschools still perform in line with the national average, receiving an overall grade of B-.

Traditional public preschools

The traditional public school (i.e., not charter or magnet) makes up all of Montana's public school landscape (364 total), and they also score better than the national average in terms of quality ratings, registering an overall grade of B. Among those 300+ schools, about 42% are rated above the national average–this number equates to about 153 different traditional public preschools that are scored higher than others nationwide. It's also worth noting that despite being smaller than most schools on average (174 students), traditional public schools here are still larger than most other states' traditional schools by around 53%.

What is the Best Traditional Public Preschool in Montana

Shifting gears into which school is considered the best traditional public preschool in Montana, there are two top contenders: Eastern Fairview Elementary School and Creston School. The former is located in Fairview (towards northern Montana) and holds about 80 students with 8 teachers–which has resulted in a student-to-teacher ratio that’s 43% lower than what’s found on average in American schools (–43%). Parents often voice positive reviews about this small class size and individual attention from teachers as well as its A+ rating. Creston School can be found in Kalispell and has a relatively small student count totaling 103 (just over 100). The school also boasts an A+ rating thanks to a student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1 (29% below what's typical nationally). As such many consider it a top contender for best traditional public preschool in Montanoa.

All About Charter Preschools in Montana

If you're looking for alternatives to traditional public schools, you'll need to look elsewhere as Montana doesn't have any charter schools at all - they rank 44th out of all states when it comes to per capita charter schools at 0 total and 100% fewer than most states per capita. This means that families who are hoping for an alternative route will need to opt for private schooling or another type of specialized education program outside of their local schools system before settling on a traditional school option.

An In-Depth Examination of Magnet Preschools in Montana

Speaking of specialty programs, magnet schools are increasingly being viewed as a viable alternative to traditional public and charter schools by families looking for options outside their local school district. In Montana however, there currently aren't any magnet preschools available - they rank 45th out of all states when it comes to per capita magnet schools at 0 total and 100% fewer than most states per capita. Therefore parents hoping for magnet programs will need to look outside state lines if their child’s needs can't be met by traditional public or private schooling options.

Exploring Preschool Alternatives in Montana

Montana is a state that offers numerous options for parents who are seeking quality preschool education for their children. To begin, there are no magnet preschools in the state of Montana. Nonetheless, there are plenty of other alternatives for families who want to explore the private and religious school options available.

An Overview of Private Schools in Montana

When it comes to private education in Montana, the state offers 65 private preschools. Although this number may seem low compared to other states, the per capita rate is equal to the national average. Additionally, the average grade of these private schools is a solid B+, which indicates a solid level of educational excellence. It's also worth noting that the average enrollment for private schools in Montana is quite low, at 119 students per school, a 68% difference compared to the national average. This statistic might be indicative of smaller class sizes and greater individualized instruction when compared to larger public schools.

Religious Schools in Montana

Religious schools make up a notably significant portion of all private education options in Montana, with 44 religious schools comprising 68% of all private schools in the state. Out of these 44 institutions, 31 of them are Christian schools, which may appeal to those looking for a faith-based education. The average grade for religious schools in Montana is also B+, meaning that quality education is not compromised when choosing a religious-based institution. Moreover, although the size of religious schools tend to be higher than other types of private schools, the 149 students on average per school still falls 60% lower than the national average.

The Best Religious Preschools in Montana

The top rated religious preschool in Montana is Petra Academy located in Bozeman. The school maintains an impressive B+ grade and has an enrollment count of 215 students. What really sets this school apart is its student-teacher ratio; it has just 8 students per teacher, which is an impressive 43% below the national average! This could be why parents from far and wide come to enroll their children at this top-rated institution. The second highest rated religious preschool is St. Andrew School located in Helena. It has an equally impressive B+ rating and enrolls 187 students - making it slightly bigger than its #1 counterpart - however it shares the same student to teacher ratio of 11:1 which is 21% below the national average. With such an impressive ratio and great grade, St. Andrew School is certainly a great option for families who want their children to receive quality religious education without compromising their academic performance.

Private Non-Religious Preschools in Montana

Private non-religious schools make up 5% of all private preschools in Montana, with 21 institutions available statewide. Unfortunately, none of these have received grades above the national average and none have grades higher than "--". However, this does not mean that these schools are not worth considering; they simply have not been graded yet or have lower grades than other nearby institutions. It's worth mentioning that these schools tend to have fewer students; on average 56 per school which is 85% below the national average! This could be a plus for parents who prefer smaller class sizes and more intimate learning environments where their children can benefit from more individualized attention from teachers and staff members alike.

Top Private Non-Religious Preschools in Montana

The highest rated non-religious preschool option in Montana is Missoula International School located in Missoula city. While this school has not been formally graded yet - indicated by its "--" rating - it does have an enrollment count of 182 students which could be indicative of its popularity among local families who seek quality education without compromising on their child's educational needs or preferences. Additionally, this school has an impressive 13:1 student to teacher ratio which may explain why there's such high demand for spaces at this institution - it's 7% lower than the national average! The second best rated non-religious preschool option in Montana is Sussex School located in Missoula as well; another ungraded school but with 144 enrolled students - just 9 students per teacher - making it 36% lower than your typical classroom setting nationwide! With both Missoula International School and Sussex School parents are given two great options to consider when searching for a quality non-religiously affiliated learning environment for their preschoolers within the state of Montana.