State Park #1
Bonner, MT 59823

This is the best school in Western Montana. The teachers really care and the students are there to learn. When my daughter was 12 we were on a visit to Missoula and my daughter said to me "Dad I want to go to Helegate High". Surprised I said "why do you want to go to Hellgate"? "I don't know", was the answer. I said "we'll see what we can do".We were so impressed that we moved from Wallace, Idaho and brought a home near the Hellgate just so my daughter could go there. My daughter loved it. She became a STEM major and went on to study at Montana State Bozeman. While at Hellgate she joined the Hellgate Band and they were invited to play at Carnagie Hall NYC and the 75th battleship arizona memorial at pearl harbor. The Hellgate band is one of the top 10 in the nation.These are things that wouldn't have happened at another school. Hellgate High is a special place!

Potomac Elementary school does a pretty good job, considering the lack of funding they have. The new principal has rounded up some active members of the community to raise funds primarily for athletics but also cut over 40 days out of the school calendar. The days are longer, but whether that makes up for so many missed days is too soon to tell. The Friday program is not a school day but is a good program that is optional and hands on. The middle school is not up to snuff. There are not enough opportunities for a solid education outside of the bare basics. Many of the teachers are wonderful, but not all. The gym and music teacher is not trained in those areas. Class size is generally small.