Average
#360 of 603 schools in MT
Cayuse Prairie School
Elementary School · Cayuse Prairie Elem
897 Lake Blaine Road, Kalispell, MT 59901
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kalispell
#14 of 22
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#203 of 319
In district
#2 of 2
Cayuse Prairie Elem
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Cayuse Prairie School
Cayuse Prairie School is a regular public elementary school in Kalispell, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 259 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child’s educational journey. Cayuse Prairie has 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.
Academically, Cayuse Prairie School ranks in the 39th percentile among Montana schools and holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. In reading and English language arts, about half of its students meet or exceed proficiency levels, while 42% achieve similar results in math. The school focuses on student development and provides opportunities for growth in various subjects.
Cayuse Prairie School is situated in a rural area, offering a peaceful setting conducive to learning and community engagement. Whether you're looking for a close-knit educational environment or a place where your child can thrive with additional support, Cayuse Prairie School stands as an option that emphasizes holistic development.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cayuse Prairie 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
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Cayuse Prairie School — Students at Cayuse Prairie School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
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: 5.7/10.
How Cayuse Prairie School Compares
See how Cayuse Prairie School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
897 Lake Blaine Road, Kalispell, MT 59901
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cayuse Prairie School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan School (rated 8.9/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Park School (rated 8.1/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Evergreen School (rated 6.8/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kalispell, see our Kalispell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 0.0 mi | 7.5 |
| 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 School 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 |
|---|---|
| Cherry Valley School Polson, MT | 5.9 |
| Choteau School Choteau, MT | 5.9 |
| Elrod School Kalispell, MT | 5.9 |
| Mountain View School Red Lodge, MT | 5.9 |
| Washington School Billings, MT | 6.0 |
| Independent School Billings, MT | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cayuse Prairie School
What grades does Cayuse Prairie School serve?
Cayuse Prairie School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Cayuse Prairie School?
Cayuse Prairie School has an enrollment of approximately 259 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cayuse Prairie School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cayuse Prairie School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cayuse Prairie School rank in MT?
Cayuse Prairie School is ranked #360 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Cayuse Prairie School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cayuse Prairie School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cayuse Prairie School has 42.0% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cayuse Prairie School a charter school?
No, Cayuse Prairie School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cayuse Prairie School a Title I school?
No, Cayuse Prairie School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cayuse Prairie School?
36.3% of students at Cayuse Prairie 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
- City Safety
- High (2,532/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kalispell). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 259
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.3%
- 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
- #2 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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