Paxson School

www.mcpsmt.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=4

415 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 5th

School Overview

Paxson Elementary School, located in the heart of Missoula, Montana, is a neighborhood school that serves as a cornerstone of its local community. Known for its historic architecture and welcoming atmosphere, the school typically emphasizes a supportive learning environment that focuses on the holistic development of its students. As part of the Missoula County Public Schools district, Paxson integrates core academic instruction with a strong commitment to fostering character, creativity, and community engagement among its student body.

Beyond academics, Paxson is often recognized for its active parent-teacher involvement and its efforts to create an inclusive environment where students feel connected to both their peers and the broader Missoula area. The school utilizes its central location to encourage experiential learning and community partnership, striving to prepare students for success in middle school and beyond. By balancing traditional educational standards with modern pedagogical approaches, Paxson remains a prominent choice for families seeking a grounded, community-oriented elementary education.

415

Total Students

25.7

Full-Time Teachers

16.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

37.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Paxson School
Demographic	Student Count
White	316
Hispanic	33
Black	7
Asian	2
Two or More	19
American Indian	37
Pacific Islander	1

White
316 (76.1%)
American Indian
37 (8.9%)
Hispanic
33 (8.0%)
Two or More
19 (4.6%)
Black
7 (1.7%)
Asian
2 (0.5%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.2%)

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:	Missoula Elem
Phone:	(406)542-4055
Website:	http://www.mcpsmt.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=4
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 5th
Total Students:	415
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	25.7
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	16.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	145
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	11

* 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 16

Kindergarten 51

Grade 1 56

Grade 2 78

Grade 3 68

Grade 4 77

Grade 5 69