Excellent
#35 of 603 schools in MT
Top 6% in state
Chief Charlo School
Elementary School · Missoula Elem
909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801
Enrollment
417
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
417
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Missoula
#2 of 24
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#23 of 319
In district
#1 of 12
Missoula Elem
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Chief Charlo School
Chief Charlo School is a public elementary school in Missoula, MT, part of the Missoula Elem. The school serves approximately 417 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 94.4th percentile among MT schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 49% proficiency in math and 60% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $55,022, where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Chief Charlo School — Students at Chief Charlo School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.6%
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: 9.3/10.
How Chief Charlo School Compares
See how Chief Charlo School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 56% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chief Charlo School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Paxson School (rated 8.2/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 3.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Russell School (rated 7.5/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST ACADEMY Missoula | 0.6 mi | — |
| Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Russell School Missoula | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula | 1.8 mi | — |
| Porter Middle School Missoula | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Missoula | 2.3 mi | — |
| Sentinel High School Missoula | 2.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Lewis & Clark School Missoula | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Jeannette Rankin El Missoula | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Washington Middle School Missoula | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Big Sky High School Missoula | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Franklin School Missoula | 2.9 mi | 5.7 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula | 3.2 mi | 6.9 |
| SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Paxson School Missoula | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Hawthorne School Missoula | 3.4 mi | 6.0 |
| LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula | 3.5 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,022
Median Home Value
$393,400
Median Rent
$1,086/mo
Population
31,127
College Educated
51.4%
Homeownership
40.8%
Avg Commute
15.2 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Chief Charlo School has a median household income of $55,022. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $393,400, with a median rent of $1,086/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| McKinley School Billings, MT | 8.5 |
| Smith School Helena, MT | 8.7 |
| Linderman School Polson, MT | 8.4 |
| Longfellow School Bozeman, MT | 8.4 |
| Rattlesnake Elementary School Missoula, MT | 8.3 |
| Central Elementary Sidney, MT | 8.2 |
Compare Chief Charlo School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chief Charlo School
What grades does Chief Charlo School serve?
Chief Charlo School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Chief Charlo School?
Chief Charlo School has an enrollment of approximately 417 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chief Charlo School?
The student-teacher ratio at Chief Charlo School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chief Charlo School rank in MT?
Chief Charlo School is ranked #35 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Chief Charlo School's MySchoolScout rating?
Chief Charlo School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Chief Charlo School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chief Charlo School has 48.7% math proficiency and 60.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Chief Charlo School a charter school?
No, Chief Charlo School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Chief Charlo School a Title I school?
No, Chief Charlo School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chief Charlo School?
39.6% of students at Chief Charlo 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
- Walk Score
- 10 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 25 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 12 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,253/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Missoula). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 417
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Missoula County
- Phone
- (406) 542-4005
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Missoula Elem- District Enrollment
- 5,177
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,401
- District Rank
- #1 of 12
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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