DeSmet School

90 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 5th

School Overview

DeSmet School is a small, rural public K-8 district located on the western edge of Missoula, Montana. Serving a tight-knit community, the school focuses on providing a personalized educational experience that emphasizes strong foundational academics, character development, and active student participation. Because of its size, the school is able to foster close relationships between students, staff, and families, creating a supportive environment where individual learning needs are prioritized.

Beyond the classroom, DeSmet School is deeply integrated into its local community and values its identity as a neighborhood-centered institution. The district maintains a commitment to preparing students for the transition to high school by balancing rigorous state-mandated curriculum with enrichment opportunities that encourage critical thinking and social-emotional growth. For families in the area, the school serves as a cornerstone, providing a stable, small-school setting within the larger Missoula County educational landscape.

Total Students

7.4

Full-Time Teachers

12.2

Student/Teacher Ratio

100.0%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for DeSmet School
Demographic	Student Count
White	77
Hispanic	1
Asian	3
Two or More	5
American Indian	3
Pacific Islander	1

White
77 (85.6%)
Two or More
5 (5.6%)
Asian
3 (3.3%)
American Indian
3 (3.3%)
Hispanic
1 (1.1%)
Pacific Islander
1 (1.1%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	DeSmet Elem
Phone:	(406)549-4994
Website:	http://desmetschool.org
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 5th
Total Students:	90
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	7.4
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	12.2
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	90
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Pre-Kindergarten 10

Kindergarten 9

Grade 1 19

Grade 2 14

Grade 3 11

Grade 4 12

Grade 5 15