Paxson School

Paxson School, a heavily attended elementary campus in Missoula, Montana, overseen by Missoula Elem, works with 415 students, covering grades pre-K through 5. Compared to the state average of about 167 students per school, that is 149% bigger than typical.

Across the 14 schools in Missoula Elem (5,293 students total), Paxson School accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

On demographics, Paxson School logs that White students make up the majority at 76%. The remainder comes out to 9% Native American, 8% Hispanic, 5% multiracial. That is visibly less White than the county at large, where the share is closer to 87%.

On the resource side, Paxson School lists 26 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 16.1:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 11.9:1, putting Paxson School higher than the state norm the norm. Around 38% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

In the surrounding community, census data for Missoula County shows the typical household earns roughly $75,598 per year, 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 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 Paxson School is one.

Hellgate High School is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.5 miles from this campus. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

Paxson School operates from an urban location.

Trend over the last 7 years. Over the past 7-year window, the student count fell 8%: 452 students in 2018 compared to 415 in 2025. The White share of enrollment declined from 86% to 76% over that span. The student-to-teacher ratio fell from 18.0:1 in 2018 to 16.1:1 today.

On this page, recent activity here tends to focus on pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.