Hellgate Elem Lower Grades

Hellgate Elem Lower Grades is one of the sprawling primary schools in Missoula, Montana, run under Hellgate Elem, with 305 students on its rolls from grades 2 through 3. Enrollment runs roughly 83% bigger than the state mean of about 167.

Across the 4 schools in Hellgate Elem (1,464 students total), Hellgate Elem Lower Grades accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

Demographically, Hellgate Elem Lower Grades lists that the largest single group is White, at 76% of enrollment. Other groups include 10% Hispanic, 9% multiracial. That is noticeably less White than the county at large, where the share is closer to 87%.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Staff filings list 20 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 15.0:1 students per teacher. The state averages around 11.9:1, so this campus is higher than the state norm typical. An estimated 35% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal.

Across the wider county, ACS estimates for Missoula County put the typical household earns roughly $75,598 per year, roughly 47% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 5% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, Missoula County runs 47 public schools (combined enrollment of about 14,099 students), of which Hellgate Elem Lower Grades is one.

The closest other public school is Hellgate Middle School, roughly 0.1 miles away. Counting just inside five miles, 8 other public schools cluster around Hellgate Elem Lower Grades.

The campus sits in a high-density setting.

Trend over the last 7 years. Over the past 7-year window, the student count ticked down 68%: 952 students in 2018 compared to 305 in 2025. Over the same period, the White share ticked down from 88% to 76%. Class-load math has fell: from 16.3:1 in 2018 to 15.0:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.