Headwaters Academy Photo - Water testing on the Gallatin River in Bozeman, MT.

Best Montana Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 134 private schools serving 12,783 students in Montana (there are 839 public schools, serving 149,233 students). 8% of all K-12 students in Montana attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $10,647 for elementary schools and $12,105 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The average acceptance rate is 87% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 17% and the student-teacher ratio is 11:1.
61% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.

Overview

This State (MT)
US
# Schools
134 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
12,783 Students
5,709,643 Students
% Average Students of Color
17%
34%

Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
1,175 Teachers
508,006 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
46%
55%
Average Class Size
14 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
9 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1227
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$11,689
$14,892
Average Summer Program Cost
$143
$1,160
Average % on Financial Aid
40%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$3,083
$7,118
Average Acceptance Rate
87%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$20 million
$61.9 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.56
0.65
# American Indian Students
750 Students
30,180 Students
% American Indian Students
6%
1%
# Asian Students
206 Students
265,308 Students
% Asian Students
2%
5%
# Hispanic Students
261 Students
507,900 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
9%
# Black Students
139 Students
417,206 Students
% Black Students
1%
7%
# White Students
7,696 Students
2,937,481 Students
% White Students
60%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
18 Students
22,254 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
3,764 Students
1,473,896 Students
% of Others Students
29%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
7 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
5 sports
7 sports

Top-Ranked Montana Private Schools by County (2026)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
21
1,755
11%
16
1,739
11%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Montana?
How many private schools are located in Montana?
There are 134 private schools are located in Montana.
How much do private schools cost in Montana?
The average private school tuition in Montana is $10,647 for elementary schools and $12,105 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Montana?
Approximately 17% of students in Montana private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Montana go to private school?
8% of all K-12 students in Montana attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Montana?
61% of private schools in Montana are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.
Which private schools in Montana are often viewed compared to one another?

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