| Metric | Polson High School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 524 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 1 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,660/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 22% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polson High School District (this district) | 7/10 | 60th | 524 |
| Ronan High School District | 2/10 | 11th | 416 |
| Hot Springs K-12 | 6/10 | 52nd | 166 |
| Bigfork High School District | 8/10 | 71st | 354 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 150 rated districts in MT → 60th percentile → 7/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- Polson High School — 2.7 mi · Grades 9–12 · 517 students
About Polson High School District
Polson High School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 59860 in Polson, Montana. Serving students from 9th–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 59860. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Polson High School District 7 out of 10 — above 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 (2021–22 school year). 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.
Polson High School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Montana. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 59860
Children in zip code 59860 are assigned to Polson High School District for public school enrollment, covering grades 9th–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 59860, 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 Polson 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 Polson
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Polson High School District serves zip code 59860, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 59860. 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 Polson 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 59860.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Polson High School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 59860 data.