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Average

#378 of 603 schools in MT

Columbia Falls High Schl

High School · Columbia Falls H S

PO Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Enrollment

688

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia Falls

#2 of 6

public schools

Montana high schools

#84 of 141

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Columbia Falls High Schl

Columbia Falls High School is a regular public high school serving students in grades 9 through 12. Located in the remote town of Columbia Falls, Montana, the school has an enrollment of 688 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 with 44 full-time equivalent teachers. The MySchoolScout rating for Columbia Falls High School is 5.5 out of 10, placing it at the 51st percentile among Montana's public high schools based on its state ranking of #297 out of 605.

Academically, students perform around average with 42% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 25% proficient or above in Math. Columbia Falls High School offers a supportive learning environment where teachers work closely with students to foster growth and development. The school focuses on providing a solid educational foundation while also engaging the community through various extracurricular activities, though specific details about these programs are not provided here.

Columbia Falls is situated in a remote area of Montana, making it a tight-knit community where relationships between students, teachers, and families are strong and supportive.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.2Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College Readiness3.5Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,247

Columbia Falls High Schl — Students at Columbia Falls High Schl score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
27%
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: 8.5/10.

How Columbia Falls High Schl Compares

See how Columbia Falls High Schl performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in MT
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

PO Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Falls High Schl may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan School (rated 8.9/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Park School (rated 8.1/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia Falls, see our Columbia Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls 0.4 mi 5.4
Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls 0.6 mi 4.6
Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls 0.7 mi 5.4
Deer Park School Columbia Falls 5.3 mi 8.1
Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls 5.3 mi 4.8
VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 7.5 mi
Helena Flats School Kalispell 8.2 mi 4.2
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell 8.2 mi 3.9
L A Muldown School Whitefish 6.6 mi 6.7
WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish 6.7 mi 6.2
Whitefish High School Whitefish 6.8 mi 7.7
Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish 7.3 mi 7.2
East Evergreen School Kalispell 10.1 mi 6.8
Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell 10.2 mi 5.9
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell 10.2 mi 7.5
Evergreen Junior High Kalispell 10.6 mi 6.2
Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell 11.8 mi 8.9
Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell 11.8 mi 8.1
Edgerton School Kalispell 10.9 mi 7.1
Creston School Kalispell 12.5 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59912 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,515

Median Home Value

$438,000

Median Rent

$1,052/mo

Population

15,745

College Educated

30.7%

Homeownership

77.4%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbia Falls High Schl has a median household income of $73,515. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $438,000, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Browning High School Browning, MT 5.7
Polson High School Polson, MT 5.6
Frenchtown High School Frenchtown, MT 5.5
Corvallis High School Corvallis, MT 5.4
Custer Co District High Miles City, MT 5.4
Park High School Livingston, MT 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia Falls High Schl

What grades does Columbia Falls High Schl serve?

Columbia Falls High Schl serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Columbia Falls High Schl?

Columbia Falls High Schl has an enrollment of approximately 688 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Falls High Schl?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Falls High Schl is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia Falls High Schl rank in MT?

Columbia Falls High Schl is ranked #378 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Columbia Falls High Schl's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Falls High Schl has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Columbia Falls High Schl?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Falls High Schl has 25.3% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbia Falls High Schl a charter school?

No, Columbia Falls High Schl is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Columbia Falls High Schl a Title I school?

No, Columbia Falls High Schl is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Falls High Schl?

48.5% of students at Columbia Falls High Schl 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 (1,901/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
688
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Flathead County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Columbia Falls H S
District Enrollment
688
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,421
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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