Very Good
#118 of 603 schools in MT
Top 19% in state
Cayuse Prairie 7-8
Middle School · Cayuse Prairie Elem
897 Lake Blaine Road, Kalispell, MT 59901
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
7.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
7.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kalispell
#4 of 22
public schools
Montana middle schools
#21 of 143
In district
#1 of 2
Cayuse Prairie Elem
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Cayuse Prairie 7-8
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 is a small rural middle school located in Kalispell, Montana. With an enrollment of just 47 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, the school offers a close-knit learning environment where teachers can give individual attention to each student. The school has three full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting seventh and eighth graders through their formative years.
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10, reflecting the school's ongoing focus on academic development. Ranked at #156 among Montana schools, it falls in the 74th percentile overall and has an Academic Score of 7.7/10. Students perform well above average in English Language Arts (ELA), with 51% achieving proficiency or higher compared to the state average.
In math, there is room for improvement, as only 38% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards. Situated in a rural setting on Lake Blaine Road, Cayuse Prairie 7-8 benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 47 students, Cayuse Prairie 7-8 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.
Located in a rural area, Cayuse Prairie 7-8 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 — Students at Cayuse Prairie 7-8 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.9/10.
How Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Compares
See how Cayuse Prairie 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 54.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
Location
897 Lake Blaine Road, Kalispell, MT 59901
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cayuse Prairie 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bigfork 7-8 (rated 6.9/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Bigfork), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Evergreen Junior High (rated 6.2/10, 7.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kalispell, see our Kalispell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Creston School Kalispell | 2.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Deer Park School Columbia Falls | 5.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 5.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 5.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 5.0 mi | 8.1 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 6.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Helena Flats School Kalispell | 6.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell | 6.5 mi | 3.9 |
| VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 6.6 mi | — |
| Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls | 10.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 7.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls | 10.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Swan River School Bigfork | 10.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Swan River 6-8 Bigfork | 10.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls | 10.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls | 10.7 mi | 4.6 |
| STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 8.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Bigfork Elementary Bigfork | 11.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Bigfork 7-8 Bigfork | 11.3 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,391
Median Home Value
$417,200
Median Rent
$1,052/mo
Population
61,710
College Educated
32.6%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
18.1 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cayuse Prairie 7-8 has a median household income of $70,391. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $417,200, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Sun River Middle School Simms, MT | 7.5 |
| Troy 7-8 Troy, MT | 7.4 |
| Anderson 7-8 Bozeman, MT | 7.7 |
| Belt 7-8 Belt, MT | 7.3 |
| Hays-Lodge Pole 7-8 Hays, MT | 7.3 |
| Plains 7-8 Plains, MT | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cayuse Prairie 7-8
What grades does Cayuse Prairie 7-8 serve?
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Cayuse Prairie 7-8?
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 47 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cayuse Prairie 7-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Cayuse Prairie 7-8 is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cayuse Prairie 7-8 rank in MT?
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 is ranked #118 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Cayuse Prairie 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Cayuse Prairie 7-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cayuse Prairie 7-8 has 37.8% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cayuse Prairie 7-8 a charter school?
No, Cayuse Prairie 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cayuse Prairie 7-8 a Title I school?
No, Cayuse Prairie 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cayuse Prairie 7-8?
34.0% of students at Cayuse Prairie 7-8 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 (Kalispell). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 47
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Flathead County
- Phone
- (406) 756-4560
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cayuse Prairie Elem- District Enrollment
- 306
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,674
- 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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.