A Guide to Gallatin Valley School Districts

A district-by-district breakdown of test scores, class sizes, schedules, and what the numbers do not tell you.

If schools are part of your Gallatin Valley move, the school district question will shape where you look for a home more than almost anything else. The valley has more than a dozen school districts across Gallatin County, and the differences between them are real. Test scores, class sizes, schedules, and culture vary more than most people expect within a 40-minute drive.

This guide compares the seven districts that families relocating to the valley ask about most, with current data and honest tradeoffs for each.

The short answer:Manhattan and Bozeman lead in test scores and academic rankings. Amsterdam Elementary, which feeds into Manhattan for grades 6 through 12, ranks number one among Montana elementary schools. Belgrade offers larger schools at lower home prices but with more modest test scores. Three Forks is the most affordable entry point with a strong small-town feel. Monforton and Gallatin Gateway are small, high-performing elementary districts whose students move into the Bozeman high school system.

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Quick Comparison: Gallatin Valley School Districts at a Glance

DistrictGrades ServedEnrollmentTesting Rank (State)Math ProficiencyReading ProficiencyMedian Home PriceScheduleManhattanK-12~852Top 5% (10/10)61%61%~$800K+4-day (Mon-Thu)Amsterdam ElementaryPK-6~166Top 5%77%77%Feeds into Manhattan5-dayBozemanK-12~4,679 (elem)Top 5% (10/10)57%66%~$715K5-dayBelgradeK-12~2,303 (elem)Top 50% (7/10)39%55%~$575K5-dayThree ForksK-12~523VariesVariesVaries~$465K-$497K5-dayMonforton (Four Corners)PK-8~669Top 5%58%64%Bozeman HS for 9-125-dayGallatin GatewayPK-6~134Top 5%55%55%~$1.1M+5-day

Math and reading proficiency percentages represent students scoring at or above proficient on state assessments, per theMontana Office of Public Instruction report cards. Montana state averages: 37% math, 46% reading. Sources:Public School Review,U.S. News Education,Niche 2026 rankings. Home price data fromBozeman Real Estate Group market reportsandKBZK Gallatin Valley housing data, spring 2026.

1. What Makes Manhattan's School District Stand Out?

Manhattan's school district is the highest-performing K-12 system in the Gallatin Valley by test scores, with a 10/10 testing ranking that places it in the top 5% of all Montana public schools. Students score 61% proficient in math and 61% in reading, well above the state averages of 37% and 46%, respectively. The high school graduation rate is 95%, up from 90% five years ago.

Features:Top academic outcomes, a tight-knit community, and a 4-day school week.

Manhattan operates on a 4-day school week, Monday through Thursday, 8:05 a.m. to 3:43 p.m.The switch, made around 2023, allowed the district to be fully staffed for the first time in five years. It has become a strong recruitment tool for teachers, which translates to better retention and more consistent instruction.

Manhattan High School is Class B, with roughly 250 students in grades 9 through 12. That means smaller classes, more personal attention, and kids who play multiple sports because the rosters need them. It is a different experience than a 1,200-student high school in Bozeman.

The tradeoff: Manhattan's median home price has climbed, running around $800,000 or higher due to larger lots and acreage properties, with Q4 2025 reaching a record $932,500. Inventory is limited. The community is about 25 minutes west of Bozeman, so your commute adds time if your job is in town.

2. Why Does Amsterdam Elementary Keep Ranking Number One?

Amsterdam Elementary ranks number one among Montana elementary schools according to U.S. Newsand sits in the top 5% statewide on Public School Review. The numbers back it up: 77% of students score proficient in both math and reading, roughly double the state averages.

Features:The strongest elementary test scores in the valley and a small-school environment.

Amsterdam Elementary serves about 166 students in Pre-K through 6th grade. The school is located between Manhattan and Churchill along the Amsterdam Road corridor, an area known for agricultural land and Gallatin Valley Land Trust conservation easements. Students from Amsterdam and Churchill feed into the Manhattan school system for grades 6 through 12, which means students in this corridor get the small-school elementary experience plus Manhattan's strong secondary program.

The school's small size means every student is known by name. Class sizes are small, and the student-teacher interaction is more personal than what larger Bozeman or Belgrade schools can offer.

The tradeoff: the Amsterdam and Churchill corridor is rural. There is no commercial center, no grocery store, and no after-school activities within walking distance. Families here drive to Manhattan or Bozeman for most services. The homes tend to be on acreage, which keeps prices comparable to or above Manhattan.

3. What Should Families Know About Bozeman's Schools?

Bozeman's elementary district serves approximately 4,679 students across 11 schools, with a10/10 testing ranking and strong proficiency scores: 57% in math and 66% in reading. Top-ranked elementary schools within the district include Morning Star, Longfellow, and Hawthorne.

Features:The widest range of programs, extracurriculars, and school choice within a single district.

For high school, Bozeman High School ranks number one in Montana per U.S. News, with 53% math proficiency and 68% reading proficiency.Gallatin High School, the district's newer campus, ranks fourth in the stateand serves about 1,480 students. Both schools offer a broad range of AP courses, athletics, arts programs, and extracurricular activities that smaller districts simply cannot match.

The student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1 at the elementary level, higher than the state average of 14:1. Class sizes at the elementary level tend to run 22 to 26 students, which is noticeably larger than Manhattan or Amsterdam.

The tradeoff: Bozeman schools are the largest in the valley, which means more programs but less individual attention. The median single-family home price in Bozeman runs around $715,000 as of early 2026, making it the priciest option after Gallatin Gateway. School levy elections passed in Gallatin County's 2026 special election, keeping funding stable, but the cost of living in Bozeman proper is a significant factor.

4. How Do Belgrade's Schools Compare on Value?

Belgrade's elementary district serves about 2,303 students across 4 schools with a 7/10 testing ranking, placing it in the top 50% of Montana schools. Math proficiency is 39% (near the state average of 37%), and reading proficiency is 55% (above the 46% state average).

Features:More affordable homes with freeway access to Bozeman and a larger school district.

Belgrade High School ranks 19th in Montana and serves about 994 students. The school has solid athletics programs and a growing community feel as Belgrade has expanded rapidly.

Belgrade's median home price sits around $575,000, making it the most affordable option among the larger Gallatin Valley communities. The drive to Bozeman is 10 to 15 minutes, and the new airport freeway exit has made the commute easier from most Belgrade neighborhoods.

A note on enrollment: Belgrade has seen rapid growth, and the district closed non-resident enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year. That means if you live outside the Belgrade district boundary, you cannot currently enroll your children there through open enrollment. Verify current policies with the Belgrade School District before making a purchasing decision based on school access.

The tradeoff: Belgrade's test scores are meaningfully lower than Manhattan, Amsterdam, or Bozeman. About 39% of Belgrade students are classified as economically disadvantaged, which reflects the community's broader socioeconomic mix. The proficiency numbers above are worth weighing alongside that context.

5. Is Three Forks a Good Budget Option?

Three Forks serves around 523 students in a small K-12 system with a Niche grade of C. It is the smallest and most affordable school community in this list.

Features:The most affordable entry point in the valley, small-town character, and a longer commute to Bozeman.

Three Forks sits about 30 to 35 minutes west of Bozeman. Median home prices range from roughly $465,000 to $497,000 depending on the period and source, making it the most affordable entry point in the Gallatin Valley. The town has a genuine small-town center with local shops, restaurants, and a popular affordable golf course.

The tradeoff: the academic rankings are lower than other valley districts, and the commute to Bozeman is real, especially in winter. The 2026 school levy failed in Three Forks, which could affect programming and staffing. Families whose children need specialized programs, advanced coursework, or a wide range of extracurriculars may find the options more limited than in Bozeman or Manhattan. That said, the school community is close-knit, teachers know every student, and the town itself offers a quality of life that larger communities cannot replicate.

6. What About Monforton and Gallatin Gateway for Elementary Families?

These two smaller districts serve elementary students in the areas between Bozeman and points south and west. Both are high-performing and worth knowing about, with an important caveat: neither offers a high school, so students transition into the Bozeman high school system for grades 9 through 12.

Monforton Elementary District(Four Corners area) serves about 669 students across 3 schools in Pre-K through 8th grade. The district ranks in the top 5% of Montana schools (#11 of 334 districts), with 58% math proficiency and 64% reading proficiency. Monforton 6-8 ranks 7th among Montana middle schools. The student-teacher ratio is 14:1, matching the state average.

Features:High-performing elementary and middle schools in the Four Corners area, with the option of Bozeman's larger high schools later.

Gallatin Gateway Elementary Districtserves about 134 students in Pre-K through 6th gradeand ranks in the top 5% of Montana schools. With a student-teacher ratio of just 9.6:1, this is one of the most personalized school experiences in the valley.

Features:A very small school in a rural setting, with Gallatin Gateway's higher home prices (median around $1.1 million as of spring 2026).

The tradeoff for both: no high school means your child will transition into the Bozeman system, which can be a social adjustment. And the communities around Four Corners and Gallatin Gateway are growing quickly, which means the small-school character may shift over time.

Best-For Sub-Rankings

Best test scores (K-12):Manhattan

Best elementary school in the valley:Amsterdam Elementary

Best high school in the valley:Bozeman High School (#1 in Montana)

Best value (schools relative to home price):Belgrade

Most affordable entry point:Three Forks

Best small-school experience (elementary):Gallatin Gateway or Amsterdam

Best all-in-one system (K-12):Bozeman

Best 4-day week option:Manhattan (the only Gallatin Valley district on this schedule)

The Honest Version

Test scores are one measure. They are not the only measure. A family that thrives in Manhattan's tight-knit, 250-student high school might feel lost in Bozeman's 1,200-student campus. A family that needs the breadth of AP courses and extracurriculars that only Bozeman offers would find Manhattan limiting. Belgrade's lower test scores come with a more economically diverse student body and a town where your housing dollar goes further.

The right district depends on your family, not on a ranking. Visit the schools. Talk to parents already in each community. Drive the commute during a school morning. The numbers in this guide are the starting point, not the answer.

You can look up any Montana school's official ESSA report card through the Office of Public Instructionand compare districts side by side through the Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools.

Next Steps

1. Use the Montana OPI report card toolto look up specific schools you are considering.

2. Visit during a school day if possible. Most Gallatin Valley schools welcome scheduled tours.

3. Check enrollment policies directly with each district, especially Belgrade, which has closed non-resident enrollment for the current year.

4. If you are relocating from out of state, our relocation guide covers the broader logistics of the move.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do Gallatin Valley school districts offer open enrollment across district lines?

Some do, but policies vary by district and change year to year. Belgrade closed non-resident enrollment for 2025-2026. Manhattan and Bozeman have their own policies. Always verify directly with the district office before making a home purchase based on school access.

Which Gallatin Valley district has the best student-to-teacher ratio?

Gallatin Gateway has the lowest at 9.6:1. Monforton and Manhattan are near the state average of 14:1. Bozeman and Belgrade run higher, at 17:1 and above. Smaller ratios generally mean more individual attention, but they also mean fewer program options.

Does the 4-day school week in Manhattan affect academic performance?

Manhattan's test scores have remained in the top 5% of Montana schools since the switch. The district reports that the 4-day week helped them reach full staffing for the first time in five years, which benefits instruction quality. Friday childcare logistics are worth planning for under the 4-day week.

Where do Amsterdam and Churchill students go for middle and high school?

Students from Amsterdam Elementary and the Churchill area feed into the Manhattan school system starting in 6th grade. They attend Manhattan Middle School and Manhattan High School, which means students in the Amsterdam-Churchill corridor get the small-school elementary experience combined with Manhattan's strong secondary program.

Can I still find a home near good schools for under $600,000?

Belgrade is the most likely option, with a median around $575,000. Three Forks runs lower, in the $465,000 to $497,000 range. Bozeman, Manhattan, and Gallatin Gateway all have medians well above $600,000. Check our neighborhood guide for Belgrade and our Three Forks community guide for specifics.

Nancy Clark
Broker/Owner, AmeriMont Broker Group
Manhattan, Montana
[email protected]
nancyclarkbroker.com

Nancy Clark is the Broker and Owner of AmeriMont Broker Group, serving Bozeman, Manhattan, Amsterdam, Churchill, and communities across southwest Montana. With more than $135 million in closed sales and over a decade of experience in Montana real estate, Nancy brings the care of a neighbor and the skill of a seasoned professional to every transaction. Reach her at [email protected] or visit www.nancyclarkbroker.com.