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Average

#456 of 603 schools in MT

Chief Joseph School

Elementary School · Great Falls Elem

PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403

Enrollment

262

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Great Falls

#9 of 19

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#246 of 319

In district

#8 of 17

Great Falls Elem

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Chief Joseph School

Chief Joseph School is an elementary school located in Great Falls, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has a total enrollment of 262 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.1 out of 10, placing it at the 67th percentile among Montana schools, with an academic score of 6.9/10.

On standardized tests, 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 54% meet proficiency standards in math. Chief Joseph School focuses on providing a supportive educational environment where students can grow academically and socially. With room for improvement in test scores, the school continues to work diligently to enhance its curriculum and teaching methods to better serve its community of young learners.

Nestled within a small city setting, Chief Joseph School is an integral part of Great Falls, fostering a strong sense of neighborhood connection and community involvement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,418

Chief Joseph School — Students at Chief Joseph School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

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 53.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
62%
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: 3.2/10.

How Chief Joseph School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
25th percentile in MT
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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. OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Loy School (rated 7.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Giant Springs Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 7.1
TREASURE STATE ACADEMY Great Falls 0.5 mi 5.5
East Middle School Great Falls 0.8 mi 6.9
Morningside School Great Falls 1.0 mi 6.9
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 5.3
Mountain View School Great Falls 1.6 mi 5.0
Giant Springs Elementary Great Falls 1.7 mi 7.1
Lincoln School Great Falls 2.0 mi 5.3
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 4.5
Sunnyside School Great Falls 2.9 mi 5.3
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls 3.0 mi 7.9
Longfellow School Great Falls 3.2 mi 5.3
Whittier School Great Falls 3.5 mi 4.9
North Middle School Great Falls 3.9 mi 8.0
Sacajawea School Great Falls 4.2 mi 4.9
Riverview School Great Falls 4.7 mi 5.0

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell, MT 5.3
Lewis & Clark School Great Falls, MT 5.3
Longfellow School Great Falls, MT 5.3
Alkali Creek School Billings, MT 5.2
Highland Park School Havre, MT 5.2
Napi School Browning, MT 5.2

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 is ranked #456 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Chief Joseph School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chief Joseph School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Joseph School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chief Joseph School has 53.7% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (4,026/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Great Falls). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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