Average
#284 of 603 schools in MT
Top 47% in state
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
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,452
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Great Falls
#6 of 19
public schools
Montana high schools
#69 of 141
In district
#1 of 2
Great Falls H S
About C M Russell High School
C M Russell High School serves 1,452 students in grades 9 through 12 in Great Falls, Montana. This regular public high school operates with 86 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 16.9 to 1, which allows for reasonably sized classes in this sizable school community. Academically, C M Russell High School is working to strengthen student achievement, with current performance showing room for growth.
The school ranks 381st out of 605 high schools statewide, placing it in the 37th percentile among Montana schools. In English Language Arts and Reading, 45% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across grade levels, while 30% of students achieve proficiency or above in mathematics. These results indicate the school is focusing on developing stronger academic foundations for its students.
With nearly 1,500 students, C M Russell High School represents one of the larger high schools in Montana, offering the advantages of scale that can support diverse programming and activities. The school's size allows for a broad student community while maintaining manageable class sizes through its teaching staff allocation. C M Russell High School is situated in Great Falls, a small city setting in Cascade County, providing students with both the resources of an urban environment and the close-knit feel of a Montana community.
Score Breakdown
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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: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 6.5/10.
How C M Russell High School Compares
See how C M Russell High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 46% (2019) to 45% (2022).
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), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Great Falls High School (rated 4.5/10, 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 | 5.0 |
| Valley View School Great Falls | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| West Elementary Great Falls | 1.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Sacajawea School Great Falls | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| North Middle School Great Falls | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Whittier School Great Falls | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Longfellow School Great Falls | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Meadow Lark School Great Falls | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Great Falls High School Great Falls | 2.5 mi | 4.5 |
| FOOTHILLS COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Sunnyside School Great Falls | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Lincoln School Great Falls | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Giant Springs Elementary Great Falls | 3.2 mi | 7.1 |
| GREAT FALLS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls | 3.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Lewis & Clark School Great Falls | 3.8 mi | 5.3 |
| 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 | 5.0 |
| East Middle School Great Falls | 4.0 mi | 6.9 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Glacier High School Kalispell, MT | 6.3 |
| Helena High School Helena, MT | 6.7 |
| Capital High School Helena, MT | 6.8 |
| Flathead High School Kalispell, MT | 6.9 |
| Gallatin High School Bozeman, MT | 6.1 |
| Sentinel High School Missoula, MT | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #284 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is C M Russell High School's MySchoolScout rating?
C M Russell High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 C M Russell High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, C M Russell High School has 33.3% math proficiency and 44.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Great Falls). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 268-6100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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.
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