Best Schools in Columbia Falls, Montana
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Columbia Falls?
Use this page to compare every school in Columbia Falls by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Deer Park School
Elementary · Deer Park Elem. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ruder Elementary
Elementary · Columbia Falls Elem. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Deer Park 6-8
Middle · Deer Park Elem. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Columbia Falls for 2026 are Deer Park School (8.5/10), Ruder Elementary (7.4/10), and Deer Park 6-8 (7.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$438,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$438,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Columbia Falls
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deer Park School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Ruder Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Deer Park 6-8 | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Columbia Falls JR HS | 6.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Columbia Falls High Schl | 5.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Glacier Gateway Elem | 5.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $73,515
- Median home value
- $438,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Columbia Falls compares
Montana rank
#35 of 102
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above Montana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$74k
111% of Montana median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Columbia Falls, Montana
Columbia Falls, Montana is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Columbia Falls show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Columbia Falls is Deer Park School with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Columbia Falls is served by 3 school districts: Columbia Falls Elem, Columbia Falls H S, Deer Park Elem. These districts collectively serve 2,444 students.
Columbia Falls's community shows 31% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $73,515. The poverty rate in the area is 9.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 125 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 |
| 2 | 546 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 |
| 3 | 496 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.1 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 543 students · 6th–8th | 6.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 688 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 |
Schools in Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls, Montana · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$73,515
Median Home Value
$438,000
Median Rent
$1,052/mo
Population
15,745
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Community Profile
Columbia Falls has a median household income of $73,515. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $438,000, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Montana
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Montana
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Columbia Falls, Montana
How many schools are in Columbia Falls, Montana?
Columbia Falls has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Columbia Falls, Montana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Columbia Falls is 6.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Columbia Falls, Montana?
The top-ranked school in Columbia Falls on MySchoolScout is Deer Park School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Columbia Falls, Montana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Columbia Falls on MySchoolScout is Deer Park School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Columbia Falls, Montana?
The top-ranked middle school in Columbia Falls on MySchoolScout is Deer Park 6-8 with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best high school in Columbia Falls, Montana?
The top-ranked high school in Columbia Falls on MySchoolScout is Columbia Falls High Schl with a composite score of 5.5/10.
How many school districts serve Columbia Falls, Montana?
Columbia Falls is served by 3 school districts: Columbia Falls Elem, Columbia Falls H S, Deer Park Elem.
What is the education level in Columbia Falls, Montana?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in Columbia Falls have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Columbia Falls, Montana?
The median household income in Columbia Falls is approximately $73,515 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Columbia Falls, Montana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Columbia Falls is 15.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Columbia Falls, Montana?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Montana Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.