Excellent
#86 of 603 schools in MT
Top 14% 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
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
74
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#86 of 603
In Whitefish
#2 of 4
public schools
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Excellent
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Bissell School
Elementary School in Whitefish · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bissell 7-8
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Whitefish Middle 5-8
6.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bissell School
Bissell School is a public elementary school in Whitefish, MT, part of Olney-Bissell Elem. Bissell School serves approximately 74 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Bissell School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #86 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Bissell School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 74 students, Bissell School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 9.2:1 students to teachers, Bissell School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Bissell School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bissell School — Students at Bissell School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.3/10.
How Bissell School Compares
See how Bissell School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. L A Muldown School (rated 8.2/10, 6.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Edgerton School (rated 8.0/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Russell School (rated 7.8/10, 13.0 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 | 7.4 |
| WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish | 6.5 mi | 6.2 |
| West Valley School Kalispell | 9.2 mi | 7.6 |
| West Valley Middle School Kalispell | 9.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Whitefish High School Whitefish | 6.6 mi | 7.1 |
| L A Muldown School Whitefish | 6.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Glacier High School Kalispell | 10.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Kalispell Middle School Kalispell | 12.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Smith Valley Primary Schl Kalispell | 13.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Smith Valley 7-8 Kalispell | 13.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Edgerton School Kalispell | 11.8 mi | 8.0 |
| ONESCHOOL GLOBAL KALISPELL CAMPUS Kalispell | 12.8 mi | — |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN EDUCATION Kalispell | 12.7 mi | — |
| Russell School Kalispell | 13.0 mi | 7.8 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 13.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Lillian Peterson School Kalispell | 13.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Elrod School Kalispell | 13.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Flathead High School Kalispell | 13.9 mi | 5.5 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hobson School Hobson, MT | 8.1 |
| Medicine Lake School Medicine Lake, MT | 8.1 |
| Gardiner School Gardiner, MT | 8.2 |
| Broadview School Broadview, MT | 7.9 |
| Rau School Sidney, MT | 8.4 |
| MIDDLE CREEK MONTESSORI Bozeman, MT | 7.7 |
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 ranks #86 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Bissell School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bissell School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bissell School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bissell School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.0%
- Phone
- (406) 862-2828
Resources & Links
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
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