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Average

#402 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

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#402 of 603

In Columbia Falls

#5 of 6

public schools

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Columbia Falls High Schl

5.5/10

High School in Columbia Falls · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ruder Elementary

7.4/10

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

Glacier Gateway Elem

5.1/10

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

About Columbia Falls High Schl

Columbia Falls High Schl is a public high school in Columbia Falls, MT, part of Columbia Falls H S. Columbia Falls High Schl serves approximately 688 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Falls High Schl has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #402 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia Falls High Schl show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below MT schools
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • MT avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

37% of students at Columbia Falls High Schl 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-3.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College Readiness3.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation9.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,421
Chronic Absenteeism36.9%

Columbia Falls High Schl — Students at Columbia Falls High Schl score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

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 33.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 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
52%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
54%
ELA
81%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
24.5%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
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: 7.2/10.

How Columbia Falls High Schl Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
34th percentile in MT
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
5.1/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
9.6% participation·State avg: 2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·8 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Falls High Schl may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Deer Park School (rated 8.5/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Creston School (rated 8.3/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, L A Muldown School (rated 8.2/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Whitefish), 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 7.4
Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls 0.6 mi 5.1
Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls 0.7 mi 6.9
Deer Park School Columbia Falls 5.3 mi 8.5
Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls 5.3 mi 7.4
VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 7.5 mi
Helena Flats School Kalispell 8.2 mi 4.3
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell 8.2 mi 4.8
L A Muldown School Whitefish 6.6 mi 8.2
WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish 6.7 mi 6.2
Whitefish High School Whitefish 6.8 mi 7.1
Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish 7.3 mi 7.4
East Evergreen School Kalispell 10.1 mi 7.5
Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell 10.2 mi 6.2
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell 10.2 mi 6.6
Evergreen Junior High Kalispell 10.6 mi 6.3
Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell 11.8 mi 5.9
Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell 11.8 mi 5.6
Edgerton School Kalispell 10.9 mi 8.0
Creston School Kalispell 12.5 mi 8.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Park High School Livingston, MT 5.8
Polson High School Polson, MT 5.2
Frenchtown High School Frenchtown, MT 5.1
Custer Co District High Miles City, MT 6.0
Havre High School Havre, MT 5.0
Corvallis High School Corvallis, MT 4.7

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 ranks #402 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Columbia Falls High Schl's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Falls High Schl has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Columbia Falls High Schl?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Falls High Schl has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
56 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
61 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.9%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

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

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