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Average

#455 of 603 schools in MT

C M Russell High School

High School · Great Falls H S

PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403

Enrollment

1,452

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#455 of 603

In Great Falls

#10 of 19

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Great Falls H S

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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C M Russell High School

5.1/10

High School in Great Falls · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Riverview School

6.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Valley View School

5.0/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About C M Russell High School

C M Russell High School is a public high school in Great Falls, MT, part of Great Falls H S. C M Russell High School serves approximately 1,452 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. C M Russell High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #455 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for C M Russell High School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 4.5
  • MT avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

62% of students at C M Russell High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency38% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness4.8Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate86%
AP Participation22.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,583
Chronic Absenteeism61.7%

C M Russell High School — Students at C M Russell High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
56%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
60%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
60%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
69%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
45%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How C M Russell High School Compares

See how C M Russell High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in MT
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2
Sports
19
9 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
86 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
61.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
22.7% participation·State avg: 2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
9 boys'·10 girls'·35 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering C M Russell High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GREAT FALLS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Great Falls High School (rated 3.9/10, 2.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Great Falls, see our Great Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Riverview School Great Falls 0.3 mi 6.6
Valley View School Great Falls 0.4 mi 5.0
West Elementary Great Falls 1.0 mi 2.7
Sacajawea School Great Falls 1.3 mi 6.2
North Middle School Great Falls 1.4 mi 7.5
Whittier School Great Falls 1.4 mi 2.5
Longfellow School Great Falls 2.1 mi 4.0
Meadow Lark School Great Falls 2.6 mi 7.8
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls 2.2 mi 7.9
Great Falls High School Great Falls 2.5 mi 3.9
FOOTHILLS COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls 2.5 mi 7.1
Sunnyside School Great Falls 3.1 mi 5.6
Lincoln School Great Falls 3.1 mi 5.0
Giant Springs Elementary Great Falls 3.2 mi 7.6
GREAT FALLS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls 3.8 mi 6.6
Lewis & Clark School Great Falls 3.8 mi 4.5
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd HS Great Falls 3.9 mi
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd El Great Falls 3.9 mi
Mountain View School Great Falls 4.1 mi 3.9
East Middle School Great Falls 4.0 mi 6.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Flathead High School Kalispell, MT 5.5
Butte High School Butte, MT 4.6
Belgrade High School Belgrade, MT 5.8
Sentinel High School Missoula, MT 5.8
Gallatin High School Bozeman, MT 6.0
Glacier High School Kalispell, MT 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about C M Russell High School

What grades does C M Russell High School serve?

C M Russell High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend C M Russell High School?

C M Russell High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,452 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at C M Russell High School?

The student-teacher ratio at C M Russell High School is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does C M Russell High School rank in MT?

C M Russell High School ranks #455 of 603 schools in MT.

What is C M Russell High School's MySchoolScout rating?

C M Russell High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 C M Russell High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, C M Russell High School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is C M Russell High School a charter school?

No, C M Russell High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is C M Russell High School a Title I school?

No, C M Russell High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for C M Russell High School?

38.0% of students at C M Russell High 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

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,452
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
86
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Cascade County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
61.7%
4-Year Graduation
86.0%

District

Great Falls H S
District Enrollment
3,064
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,583
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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