Gardiner High School District operates 18 schools (grades PK–08). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Gardiner High School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 8,000 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 18 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $12,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Urban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 3/10 — Below Average | — | Near average |
About Gardiner High School District
Gardiner High School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 59020 in Cooke City, Montana. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 59020. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Gardiner High School District runs approximately $12,000 annually, placing it near the Montana state average of approximately $12,000 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Gardiner High School District is a small, community-focused district with 1 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 56 students in total. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 3/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Gardiner High School District 3 out of 10 — below average among Montana public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Montana is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Gardiner High School District carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Montana benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 59020
Children in zip code 59020 are assigned to Gardiner High School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 59020, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Gardiner High School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Montana districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Cooke City
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Gardiner High School District serves zip code 59020, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 59020. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Montana, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Gardiner High School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 59020.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Gardiner High School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 59020 data.