The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in English language arts. The lowest is 50% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lewis & Clark School
Lewis & Clark School is an elementary school in Missoula serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, part of Missoula Elem district. The school’s academic profile, based on the most recent state testing results, places it among the stronger elementary schools in Missoula County. Across math, English language arts, and science, proficiency rates were all above the midpoint for the county’s schools, with overall proficiency landing in the top quartile relative to other district elementary schools. The strongest subject was English language arts, where about three in five students tested as proficient or above. Science and math results were close behind, each at a level that suggests the core academic program is performing at a solidly above-average level for the area.
The student body is predominantly white, with small but present populations of American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian, Black, and multiracial students. Roughly a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that is moderate in the context of the district. The school’s enrollment is fairly evenly distributed across kindergarten through fifth grade, giving each grade a class size that is neither very small nor very large for an elementary school of this size. No data was available on the share of students receiving special education services or English learner support, so a parent seeking that information should check directly with the school.
Lewis & Clark serves a neighborhood in central Missoula, a city that blends a university-town atmosphere with regional medical, retail, and government functions. The downtown is lively, with restaurants, breweries, and music venues, and the University of Montana campus sits near the city center, contributing to a pedestrian-friendly core. The city has been growing steadily and has transitioned from a historical lumber economy to one centered on education, healthcare, and services. Home values in the area are slightly above the state median but below the national median, and rent levels are notably high relative to incomes, suggesting that housing affordability is a real consideration for families. The market shows home prices holding relatively steady with a modest recent dip, while rents continue to climb.
The Missoula Elem district has made several recent changes with direct impact on elementary families. Voters approved an elementary general fund levy that provides recurring annual revenue for student mental health support, class size, and curriculum. A similar levy had failed the previous year, so the passage reflects community support for those priorities. The district also introduced a new elementary literacy curriculum based on the science of reading, a significant shift from previous methods that affects all elementary schools including Lewis & Clark. A strategic plan covering the next several years focuses on academic excellence, whole-child wellness, and community engagement.
For a parent, Lewis & Clark offers a solid academic foundation in a setting that is typical of Missoula’s central neighborhood schools. The above-average proficiency rates are a clear strength, particularly in reading. The district’s recent investments in literacy instruction and mental health support are concrete developments that may appeal to families who value systematic curriculum and student services. The main soft spot is that the school’s demographic data on special education and English learner populations is not available in the data provided, so a parent with a child who may need those services should ask the school directly about how they are staffed and supported. The housing market in Missoula, with rising rents and a mortgage burden above the national price-to-income average, is a real factor in whether a family can live in this attendance area.
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