Skip to main content

Average

#313 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

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#313 of 603

In Kalispell

#12 of 22

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Cayuse Prairie Elem

Academic performance

7.0 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Cayuse Prairie School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Cayuse Prairie School

6.2/10

Elementary School in Kalispell · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cayuse Prairie 7-8

6.6/10

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

Creston School

8.3/10

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

About Cayuse Prairie School

Cayuse Prairie School is a public elementary school in Kalispell, MT, part of Cayuse Prairie Elem. Cayuse Prairie School serves approximately 259 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Cayuse Prairie School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #313 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Cayuse Prairie School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.3 pts below MT schools
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Cayuse Prairie 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 metrics
Student Progress6.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,674

Cayuse Prairie School — Students at Cayuse Prairie School score 42% 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

36.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.2% (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
77%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
47%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Cayuse Prairie School Compares

See how Cayuse Prairie School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
48th percentile in MT
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Programs & Offerings

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

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. Deer Park School (rated 8.5/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Creston School (rated 8.3/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Evergreen School (rated 7.5/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores notably 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 6.6
Creston School Kalispell 2.6 mi 8.3
Deer Park School Columbia Falls 5.1 mi 8.5
Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls 5.1 mi 7.4
Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell 5.0 mi 5.9
Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell 5.0 mi 5.6
East Evergreen School Kalispell 6.2 mi 7.5
Helena Flats School Kalispell 6.5 mi 4.3
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell 6.5 mi 4.8
VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 6.6 mi
Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls 10.2 mi 5.5
Evergreen Junior High Kalispell 7.2 mi 6.3
Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls 10.2 mi 7.4
Swan River School Bigfork 10.0 mi 3.3
Swan River 6-8 Bigfork 10.0 mi 6.2
Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls 10.3 mi 6.9
Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls 10.7 mi 5.1
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 8.1 mi 5.6
Bigfork Elementary Bigfork 11.3 mi 5.8
Bigfork 7-8 Bigfork 11.3 mi 6.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alkali Creek School Billings, MT 6.2
Mountain View School Red Lodge, MT 6.2
Thompson Falls Elem Schl Thompson Falls, MT 6.3
Joliet School Joliet, MT 6.1
Kessler Elementary School Helena, MT 6.1
Central Elementary Sidney, MT 6.4

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 ranks #313 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Cayuse Prairie School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cayuse Prairie School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Cayuse Prairie School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cayuse Prairie School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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

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

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get 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.