Paxson School

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

463 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.

463

Total Students

27.3

Full-Time Teachers

16.9

Student/Teacher Ratio

33.7%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Paxson School
Demographic	Student Count
White	362
Hispanic	37
Black	12
Asian	4
Two or More	5
American Indian	42
Pacific Islander	1

White
362 (78.2 %)
American Indian
42 (9.1 %)
Hispanic
37 (8.0 %)
Black
12 (2.6 %)
Two or More
5 (1.1 %)
Asian
4 (0.9 %)
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:	463
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	27.3
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	16.9
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

Kindergarten 82

Grade 1 79

Grade 2 83

Grade 3 79

Grade 4 73

Grade 5 67

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Paxson School
Grade	Student Count
Kindergarten	82
Grade 1	79
Grade 2	83
Grade 3	79
Grade 4	73
Grade 5	67

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Paxson School
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	239	51.6%
Male	224	48.4%

Elementary School Pre-K - 4th