Columbia Falls Elem School District
School District · Columbia Falls, Montana
Avg Rating
6.5
out of 10
Schools
3
2 elem, 1 mid
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,977
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Avg Rating
6.5
out of 10
Schools
3
2 elem, 1 mid
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,977
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Evaluating Columbia Falls Elem?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Columbia Falls Elem as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Ruder Elementary
Columbia Falls · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Columbia Falls JR HS
Columbia Falls · Middle. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Glacier Gateway Elem
Columbia Falls · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
Montana rank
#72 of 153
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.2
above Montana avg
Per-pupil spending
$11,977
$1,291 vs Montana median
District size
1,585 students
Much larger than Montana median
The short answer
Columbia Falls Elem ranks #72 of 153 Montana districts by overall school rating. Columbia Falls Elem's schools with real test data average 6.5/10 across 3 schools. Its top-rated schools are Ruder Elementary (7.4/10), Columbia Falls JR HS (6.9/10), and Glacier Gateway Elem (5.1/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Columbia Falls Elem
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruder Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Columbia Falls JR HS | 6.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Glacier Gateway Elem | 5.1 / 10 |
See all 3 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Columbia Falls Elem
Columbia Falls Elem is a Columbia Falls, Montana school district serving 3 schools. The district educates 1,585 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1. The district invests $11,977 per student annually.
With an average rating of 6.5/10, Columbia Falls Elem demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Ruder Elementary, which has a composite score of 7.4/10.
In standardized testing, Columbia Falls Elem students show an average math proficiency of 49.0% and ELA proficiency of 64.0%.
The district includes 2 elementary schools , 1 middle school .
District Map
Schools in Columbia Falls Elem, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Columbia Falls Elem with test data.
Schools in Columbia Falls Elem
3 schools Elementary Schools 2
Middle Schools 1
District Details
- State
- Montana
- City
- Columbia Falls
- Total Enrollment
- 1,585
- Teachers (FTE)
- 107
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.1%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Columbia Falls Elem?
Columbia Falls Elem has 3 schools in total — 2 elementary, 1 middle. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Columbia Falls Elem?
The average composite rating for Columbia Falls Elem is 6.5/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Columbia Falls Elem?
Columbia Falls Elem spends $11,977 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Columbia Falls Elem?
The average student-teacher ratio in Columbia Falls Elem is 14.8:1.
What is the top-rated school in Columbia Falls Elem?
Ruder Elementary is the highest-rated school in Columbia Falls Elem with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What are the test scores in Columbia Falls Elem?
Across schools in Columbia Falls Elem with test data, the average math proficiency is 49.0% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 64.0%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Columbia Falls Elem compare to other districts in Montana?
Columbia Falls Elem has an average school rating of 6.5/10 across 3 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Montana by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.5/10
- Math Proficiency
- 49.0%
- ELA Proficiency
- 64.0%
Resources
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 rateOther School Districts in MT
Compare Columbia Falls Elem with neighboring districts in the state.
- Billings Elem (28)
- Great Falls Elem (17)
- Helena Elem (13)
- Missoula Elem (12)
- Bozeman Elem (11)
- Cut Bank Elem (7)
- Browning Elem (7)
- Butte Elem (7)
- Kalispell Elem (7)
- Dutton/brady K-12 Schools (5)
- East Helena K-12 (5)
- Hardin Elem (5)
- Miles City Elem (5)
- Centerville Elem (5)
- Lockwood K-12 (4)
- Baker K-12 Schools (4)
- Belgrade Elem (4)
- Corvallis K-12 Schools (4)
- Frenchtown K-12 Schools (4)
- Hamilton K-12 Schools (4)
- Havre Elem (4)
- Hellgate Elem (4)
- Laurel Elem (4)
- Lewistown Elem (4)
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.
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