Powell County High School District operates 18 schools (grades PK–08). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Powell County 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 | 1/10 — Poor | — | Near average |
About Powell County High School District
Powell County High School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 59728 in Elliston, Montana. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 59728. 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 Powell County 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
Powell County High School District is a small, community-focused district with 1 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 186 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 1/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Powell County High School District 1 out of 10 — low-rated 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.
Powell County High School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Montana on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 59728
Children in zip code 59728 are assigned to Powell County 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 59728, 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 Powell County 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 Elliston
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Powell County High School District serves zip code 59728, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 59728. 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 Powell County 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 59728.
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 Powell County High School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 59728 data.