Average
#433 of 603 schools in MT
Columbia Falls JR HS
Middle School · Columbia Falls Elem
PO Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia Falls
#3 of 6
public schools
Montana middle schools
#98 of 143
In district
#1 of 3
Columbia Falls Elem
Academic performance
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Columbia Falls JR HS
Columbia Falls Jr HS is a middle school located in the remote town of Columbia Falls, Montana. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 543 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 with 36 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.1 out of 10, placing it at #351 out of 605 schools in Montana, which corresponds to the 42nd percentile statewide.
Academically, students perform slightly above average in ELA/Reading with 56% proficient or above and below average in Math with 35% proficient or above. Columbia Falls Jr HS is part of a supportive community that focuses on student development despite room for academic growth. The school's remote setting offers a close-knit environment where students benefit from strong teacher support and personalized attention.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Columbia Falls JR HS — Students at Columbia Falls JR HS score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.9/10.
How Columbia Falls JR HS Compares
See how Columbia Falls JR HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 29% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 55% (2022).
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. Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cayuse Prairie 7-8 (rated 7.5/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whitefish Middle 5-8 (rated 7.2/10, 6.7 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 10.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| 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 | 7.1 mi | — |
| Helena Flats School Kalispell | 7.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell | 7.9 mi | 3.9 |
| L A Muldown School Whitefish | 6.1 mi | 6.7 |
| WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish | 6.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Whitefish High School Whitefish | 6.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish | 6.7 mi | 7.2 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 9.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 10.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell | 10.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 10.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 11.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 11.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Edgerton School Kalispell | 10.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Glacier High School Kalispell | 10.7 mi | 6.3 |
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 JR HS 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 |
|---|---|
| Havre Middle School Havre, MT | 5.4 |
| Washington Middle School Missoula, MT | 5.5 |
| Hellgate El Intermediate Missoula, MT | 5.3 |
| Helena Middle School Helena, MT | 5.6 |
| Ben Steele Middle School Billings, MT | 5.7 |
| Hamilton Middle School Hamilton, MT | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #433 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Columbia Falls JR HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Falls JR HS has a composite rating of 5.4 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 JR HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Falls JR HS has 34.7% math proficiency and 56.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 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
- Phone
- (406) 892-6530
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Columbia Falls Elem- District Enrollment
- 1,585
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,977
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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.
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