Skip to main content

Excellent

#102 of 603 schools in MT

Top 17% in state

Chief Charlo School

Elementary School · Missoula Elem

909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801

Enrollment

417

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#102 of 603

In Missoula

#7 of 24

public schools

In district

#6 of 12

Missoula Elem

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Chief Charlo 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.

Chief Charlo School

8.0/10

Elementary School in Missoula · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Desmet School

8.9/10

Missoula, MT. Compare side by side with Chief Charlo School before ruling this option in or out.

Lighthouse Baptist Academy

Nearby

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

About Chief Charlo School

Chief Charlo School is a public elementary school in Missoula, MT, part of Missoula Elem. Chief Charlo School serves approximately 417 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Chief Charlo School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #102 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Chief Charlo School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.9
  • MT avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.95 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency60% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+17.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,401
Chronic Absenteeism25.7%

Chief Charlo School — Students at Chief Charlo School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.7% (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
87%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
93%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
65%
ELA
64%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
64%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
62%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Chief Charlo School Compares

See how Chief Charlo School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
83th percentile in MT
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.7%

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

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. Lewis & Clark School (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Jeannette Rankin El (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Paxson School (rated 8.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.5
BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula 1.4 mi 6.2
Russell School Missoula 1.7 mi 7.6
GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula 1.8 mi
Porter Middle School Missoula 2.3 mi 5.6
FIRST LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Missoula 2.3 mi
Sentinel High School Missoula 2.2 mi 5.8
Lewis & Clark School Missoula 2.2 mi 8.6
Jeannette Rankin El Missoula 1.8 mi 8.6
Washington Middle School Missoula 2.4 mi 6.8
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula 2.8 mi 6.8
Big Sky High School Missoula 2.5 mi 6.1
Franklin School Missoula 2.9 mi 6.7
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula 3.2 mi 6.9
SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula 3.4 mi 6.9
Paxson School Missoula 3.0 mi 8.6
Hawthorne School Missoula 3.4 mi 8.5
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Chief Joseph School Great Falls, MT 8.0
Edgerton School Kalispell, MT 8.0
Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell, MT 8.0
Loy School Great Falls, MT 8.0
Meadowlark Elementary Bozeman, MT 8.0
Target Range School Missoula, MT 8.0

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 ranks #102 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Chief Charlo School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chief Charlo School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Chief Charlo School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Chief Charlo School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Compare This School

How does Chief Charlo School stack up?

DeSmet School
8.9

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.7%

District

Missoula Elem
District Enrollment
5,177
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,401
District Rank
#6 of 12

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.