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Excellent

#97 of 603 schools in MT

Top 16% in state

Chief Joseph School

Elementary School · Great Falls Elem

PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403

Enrollment

262

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#97 of 603

In Great Falls

#1 of 19

public schools

In district

#1 of 17

Great Falls Elem

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Chief Joseph School

8.0/10

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

Loy School

8.0/10

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

Treasure State Academy

5.5/10

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

About Chief Joseph School

Chief Joseph School is a public elementary school in Great Falls, MT, part of Great Falls Elem. Chief Joseph School serves approximately 262 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Chief Joseph School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #97 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Chief Joseph School show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 5.5
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Chief Joseph School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,146
Chronic Absenteeism34.7%

Chief Joseph School — Students at Chief Joseph School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 63.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.7% (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
72%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
42%
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: 8.6/10.

How Chief Joseph School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
84th percentile in MT
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

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

PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chief Joseph School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Loy School (rated 8.0/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Giant Springs Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Great Falls, see our Great Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Loy School Great Falls 0.6 mi 8.0
TREASURE STATE ACADEMY Great Falls 0.5 mi 5.5
East Middle School Great Falls 0.8 mi 6.2
Morningside School Great Falls 1.0 mi 4.9
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd HS Great Falls 1.0 mi
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd El Great Falls 1.0 mi
Lewis & Clark School Great Falls 1.0 mi 4.5
Mountain View School Great Falls 1.6 mi 3.9
Giant Springs Elementary Great Falls 1.7 mi 7.6
Lincoln School Great Falls 2.0 mi 5.0
GREAT FALLS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls 2.3 mi 6.6
FOOTHILLS COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls 2.4 mi 7.1
Great Falls High School Great Falls 2.5 mi 3.9
Sunnyside School Great Falls 2.9 mi 5.6
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls 3.0 mi 7.9
Longfellow School Great Falls 3.2 mi 4.0
Whittier School Great Falls 3.5 mi 2.5
North Middle School Great Falls 3.9 mi 7.5
Sacajawea School Great Falls 4.2 mi 6.2
Riverview School Great Falls 4.7 mi 6.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Lone Rock School Stevensville, MT 8.0
Warren School Helena, MT 8.0
Hawthorne School Helena, MT 7.9
Hawthorne School Bozeman, MT 8.1
Lakeside Elementary School Somers, MT 7.9
Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood, MT 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chief Joseph School

What grades does Chief Joseph School serve?

Chief Joseph School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Chief Joseph School?

Chief Joseph School has an enrollment of approximately 262 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chief Joseph School?

The student-teacher ratio at Chief Joseph School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chief Joseph School rank in MT?

Chief Joseph School ranks #97 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Chief Joseph School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chief Joseph 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 Joseph School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Chief Joseph School has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Chief Joseph School a charter school?

No, Chief Joseph School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chief Joseph School a Title I school?

No, Chief Joseph School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chief Joseph School?

59.2% of students at Chief Joseph 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
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Cascade County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

District

Great Falls Elem
District Enrollment
6,899
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,146
District Rank
#1 of 17

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