The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in English language arts. The lowest is 43% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Meadow Hill Middle School
Meadow Hill Middle School is a public school in Missoula, Montana, serving grades six through eight as part of the Missoula Elem district. The school draws from a community that blends university-town character with regional medical, retail, and government-service functions. Missoula is the second-largest city in Montana, and its economy has shifted from a historical lumber base to education, healthcare, and services, anchored by the University of Montana campus near downtown. The city has seen steady population growth in recent years, and home values in the school’s ZIP code are above both the state and national benchmarks, a signal that housing in this part of Missoula carries a premium. Rents are also elevated, reflecting a relatively expensive local market. Parents considering the area should be aware that Missoula’s housing costs are notably higher than many other Montana communities, which shapes the demographics of who lives in the school’s attendance zone.
On the 2023-24 state assessments, Meadow Hill’s overall proficiency index sits above the midpoint among districts in Missoula County, meaning its students as a group perform somewhat better than the median school in the county across the tested subjects. In English language arts, roughly half of students met the proficiency benchmark. Math proficiency was somewhat lower, while science proficiency landed between the two. These are middle-of-the-pack to slightly above-average results for the state, and they suggest a solid academic foundation rather than exceptional performance. A parent looking at these numbers should keep in mind that middle school is a transitional period, and a school with results in this range can serve many students well, but families with children who need more academic challenge or more intensive support will want to look into how the school differentiates instruction.
Meadow Hill’s enrollment is modest for a middle school, with somewhat larger seventh and eighth grade classes than sixth grade. The student body is predominantly white. Hispanic students and American Indian or Alaska Native students each make up a meaningful share of the population, with smaller numbers of Asian and Black students. More than two-fifths of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that indicates a significant concentration of lower-income households in the school’s attendance zone. This level of economic diversity is common in many public schools across Montana, but it is worth noting because it can affect classroom dynamics and the kinds of resources a school needs. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the provided records, so a parent whose child falls into those categories should follow up directly with the school to understand how those populations are supported.
The Missoula Elem district has taken some notable steps recently. In May 2024, voters approved an elementary general fund levy, which passed after a similar measure failed the previous year. The levy generates additional annual revenue to support student mental health, class size, and curriculum, and it carries a tax impact for property owners. This passage reflects community support for the district’s funding needs. Separately, the district adopted a new elementary literacy curriculum based on the science of reading, beginning in the 2023-24 school year. This represents a significant pedagogical shift, and while Meadow Hill is a middle school, elementary instruction feeds into the skills students bring to sixth grade. The district also developed a strategic plan for 2025-2030, focused on academic excellence, whole-child wellness, and community engagement.
What is not clear from the available data is how Meadow Hill handles course access, staffing ratios, discipline, attendance, or chronic absenteeism. Those dimensions matter for a middle school, where students are beginning to navigate elective choices and where school climate can shape the experience of adolescence. A parent considering Meadow Hill should ask how the school structures its academic tracks, whether there are opportunities for acceleration or intervention, what the teacher turnover rate looks like, and how the school approaches student behavior and engagement. The absence of that information does not signal a problem, but it means a family should seek it out directly.
Overall, Meadow Hill Middle School offers a broadly typical middle school experience in a growing and relatively expensive university city. Its academic results are solidly in the middle of the county, and its student body reflects the economic diversity of its attendance zone. The district is investing in literacy and mental health supports, and the community has shown willingness to fund those priorities. A family moving to Missoula with a middle-schooler will want to compare Meadow Hill’s academic profile, program offerings, and school climate against other schools in the area to find the right fit for their child.
See more original research from School Decision →