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Average

#231 of 603 schools in MT

Top 38% in state

Columbia Falls JR HS

Middle School · Columbia Falls Elem

PO Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Enrollment

543

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

6.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#231 of 603

In Columbia Falls

#4 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Columbia Falls Elem

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Columbia Falls JR HS

6.9/10

Middle School in Columbia Falls · grades 6th – 8th. 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.

Columbia Falls High Schl

5.5/10

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

About Columbia Falls JR HS

Columbia Falls JR HS is a public middle school in Columbia Falls, MT, part of Columbia Falls Elem. Columbia Falls JR HS serves approximately 543 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Falls JR HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #231 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia Falls JR HS show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts above MT schools
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at Columbia Falls JR HS 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 Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,977
Chronic Absenteeism38.7%

Columbia Falls JR HS — Students at Columbia Falls JR HS score 42% 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

56.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 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
61%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
31%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
68%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
66%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
69%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
29%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
29%
ELA
55%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Columbia Falls JR HS Compares

See how Columbia Falls JR HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in MT
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.7%

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 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Falls JR HS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Deer Park 6-8 (rated 7.4/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Whitefish Middle 5-8 (rated 7.4/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Whitefish), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cayuse Prairie 7-8 (rated 6.6/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Columbia Falls, see our Columbia Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls 0.4 mi 7.4
Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls 0.7 mi 5.5
Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls 1.1 mi 5.1
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 7.1 mi
Helena Flats School Kalispell 7.9 mi 4.3
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell 7.9 mi 4.8
L A Muldown School Whitefish 6.1 mi 8.2
WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish 6.2 mi 6.2
Whitefish High School Whitefish 6.3 mi 7.1
Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish 6.7 mi 7.4
East Evergreen School Kalispell 9.8 mi 7.5
Evergreen Junior High Kalispell 10.2 mi 6.3
Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell 10.3 mi 6.2
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell 10.3 mi 6.6
Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell 11.6 mi 5.9
Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell 11.6 mi 5.6
Edgerton School Kalispell 10.5 mi 8.0
Glacier High School Kalispell 10.7 mi 6.0

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
Washington Middle School Missoula, MT 6.8
West Valley Middle School Kalispell, MT 7.1
Helena Middle School Helena, MT 6.7
Hellgate El Intermediate Missoula, MT 6.7
Ben Steele Middle School Billings, MT 7.3
Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula, MT 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia Falls JR HS

What grades does Columbia Falls JR HS serve?

Columbia Falls JR HS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Columbia Falls JR HS?

Columbia Falls JR HS has an enrollment of approximately 543 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Falls JR HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Falls JR HS is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia Falls JR HS rank in MT?

Columbia Falls JR HS ranks #231 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Columbia Falls JR HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Falls JR HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 JR HS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Falls JR HS has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Columbia Falls JR HS a charter school?

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

Is Columbia Falls JR HS a Title I school?

No, Columbia Falls JR HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Falls JR HS?

56.2% of students at Columbia Falls JR HS 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Flathead County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.7%

District

Columbia Falls Elem
District Enrollment
1,585
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,977
District Rank
#2 of 3

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