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Very Good

#193 of 603 schools in MT

Top 32% in state

Bissell School

Elementary School · Olney-Bissell Elem

5955 Farm To Market Road, Whitefish, MT 59937

Enrollment

74

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Whitefish

#3 of 4

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#110 of 319

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Bissell School

Bissell School is a charming elementary school nestled in the rural area of Whitefish, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, Bissell School provides a close-knit educational environment with an enrollment of 74 students and a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of 9.2:1. With eight full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their pupils, the school fosters a nurturing atmosphere that encourages learning and growth.

Academically, Bissell School holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10, ranking it at number 224 out of 605 schools in Montana, placing it in the 63rd percentile statewide. In terms of proficiency rates, 60% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 33% meet the same criteria for math. The school is focusing on student development and offering additional support to help enhance academic performance across all subjects.

Bissell School sits along Farm To Market Road, providing a scenic backdrop for its rural setting. The community around Bissell School offers a tight-knit environment where students can thrive in a supportive educational atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 74 students, Bissell School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Bissell School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Bissell School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,677

Bissell School — Students at Bissell School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
30%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.3/10.

How Bissell School Compares

See how Bissell School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
68th percentile in MT
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

5955 Farm To Market Road, Whitefish, MT 59937

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bissell School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lillian Peterson School (rated 7.8/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Edgerton School (rated 7.1/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Valley School (rated 6.9/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Whitefish, see our Whitefish schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Bissell 7-8 Whitefish 0.0 mi
Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish 6.4 mi 7.2
WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish 6.5 mi 6.2
West Valley School Kalispell 9.2 mi 6.9
West Valley Middle School Kalispell 9.2 mi 6.9
Whitefish High School Whitefish 6.6 mi 7.7
L A Muldown School Whitefish 6.7 mi 6.7
Glacier High School Kalispell 10.4 mi 6.3
Kalispell Middle School Kalispell 12.1 mi 5.8
Smith Valley Primary Schl Kalispell 13.6 mi 6.9
Smith Valley 7-8 Kalispell 13.6 mi 4.7
Edgerton School Kalispell 11.8 mi 7.1
ONESCHOOL GLOBAL KALISPELL CAMPUS Kalispell 12.8 mi
ROCKY MOUNTAIN EDUCATION Kalispell 12.7 mi
Russell School Kalispell 13.0 mi 5.8
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell 13.0 mi 4.9
Lillian Peterson School Kalispell 13.5 mi 7.8
Elrod School Kalispell 13.8 mi 5.9
Flathead High School Kalispell 13.9 mi 6.9
VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 11.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59937 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,512

Median Home Value

$654,800

Median Rent

$1,335/mo

Population

14,653

College Educated

50.9%

Homeownership

72.3%

Avg Commute

17.9 min

Poverty Rate

8.4%

Median Age

47.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bissell School has a median household income of $75,512. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $654,800, with a median rent of $1,335/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Highwood School Highwood, MT 7.0
Pioneer School Billings, MT 6.9
Potomac School Bonner, MT 6.9
ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Livingston, MT 7.1
Absarokee School Absarokee, MT 7.2
Ashland School Ashland, MT 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bissell School

What grades does Bissell School serve?

Bissell School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Bissell School?

Bissell School has an enrollment of approximately 74 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bissell School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bissell School is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bissell School rank in MT?

Bissell School is ranked #193 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Bissell School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bissell School has a composite rating of 7.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bissell School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bissell School has 33.0% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bissell School a charter school?

No, Bissell School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bissell School a Title I school?

No, Bissell School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bissell School?

52.7% of students at Bissell School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,213/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Whitefish). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
74
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Flathead County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Olney-Bissell Elem
District Enrollment
92
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,724
District Rank
#1 of 1

Other Schools in This District

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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